May 12, 2007 -- Taking the Magic to the Mediterranean -- 14 day Repo Cruise! Part 2

[gismo1554]

Goodmorning all, interesting on the meal plan. Is it a better deal than the DDE?

Debbie, you guys have made our news every day between the weather and the baseball.

Hoagiepie, Lots of people go through DCL in the first place then transfer to a TA to get their onboard credit.

Is DDE the disney dining experience card thing? (sorry not good with acronyms - or spelling). If so it is better thant this isn't available at every location. I found that the discount you would get with the DDE only worked out better value if you weren't really in to having 3 courses at each sit down meal. Otherwise you save more on the dining plan.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Kelley--Whether or not the Dining plan is better than DDE depends on what how you like to eat (it could really work out better either way). Also, DDE requires an AP, whereas the dining plan requires buying a plan with tickets. So, that figures into it as well. But, the FREE dining plan if you happen to be traveling at that time is a steal. All four of us are going for 9 nights to a value resort with 8 day tickets and from past experience I am sure we will eat like kings and the only food we will pay for will be two mugs at the resort (we use them daily at home so they get too trashed to brnig back ) TGhe total cost for this is just over $1700. We haven't been back to your enck of the woods becuase we just can't do DL (and Legoland--I know it is blasphemy here but we LOVE Legoland) for anywhere close to this cheap.

HoagiePie--We like to have a TA becuase she can handle things when Disney makes a mistake. Case in point, when we got to the resort after our last cruise (we were spening just one more night and had one day left on our tickets) they could not find our reservation. I had the confirm # and copy of the resevation email from Disney, but they still weren't calling it up. I gave it 10 minutes before bugging my TA at home on a weekend. After that though, I gave her a call and took the kids to the parks secure in the knowledge that she would get it worked out and there would be a room for us later in the day. I also like being able to tell her we want to book something like free dining as soon as it is available to book, even if we are on a cruise ship or some such and she will do it. Saves me valuable time and $$$.

Telescopes--Someone mentioned bringing one (Erik?) on one of those rare days when there were too many posts to keep up with Those of you with more experience than I PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG. We had thought about trying to cram Marika's in, but decided against it. Our reasoning was the ship will be moving so fast that as soon as we get something lined up, it will be gone again, so binoculars would make sense. Am I totally off base here? Should I be trying to fit it in?

Off to see The Last Mimzy Finally

 

[txaggie94gigem]

We had asked our TA to book us a trip to WDW as soon as the free dining plan became available (I was origianlly worried it would come out while we were on the cruise). David says we had a "put" option on a vacation Anyway, she just emailed em and we have the dates and hotel we wanted (POP) for September So, I am feeling muxch better about having to forgo the parks this trip if I know I get 9 days in Spetember (and free dinign again--LOVE THAT ) And now that MArika is 10 it is worth even more (and works for us--I ate some of her kids meals last year so she could have some "real" food, Rio on the other hand will want kids meals until he's 50).

Off to Target now to bargain hunt

i wish i had gotten online yesterday!!!! i called this morning for the free dining and could not get into pop century only all star music! but i will keep trying!!!

Happy Monday everyone! (...although isn't that kind of an oxymoron for everyone except for Scoobypop....for whom Monday is the first day of his weekend? )

hey...monday is my first weekend day too!!!!

Thanks to everyone for your condolances in the loss of my hard drive. It was traumatic...but I've already moved on. "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger" Said Olympia Dukakis' character in 'Steel Magnolias' We're rebuilding my data slowly...downloading my music again, uploading my cd's....and luckily most or all of our favorite pictures from our vacations were not only in my computer but we also had printed (either prints we made at home or at a photo development spot OR professional prints we bought in parks and on the boat) and framed or hung (we have a whole wall in our basement that is painted with that "magnetic paint" and we have covered it with 4"x6" prints from our trips). So Jason and I are going to begin a process of scanning all those images into the computer and rebuilding our digital database of our pictures. It'll be a lot of work, sure....but once this trip is over I won't be spending my time making ridiculously large fish extenders and pirate costumes and stuff....so it'll give us something to do!


Erik

i feel your pain! my hard drive crashed about a month ago!

We booked 9/14 to 9/24. We may drop a day or two after we figure out FF tickets and when we decide if we want to (meaning can afford--of course we want to) add a cruise for that second week (reason for not booknig hte same week you are talking about, DH has to be at a meeting first week in October, and we wanted to leave the cruise possibility open). We went at this time last year and it was great. No lines at all (rode Soarin' 3 times in a row without getting off--could have done more if we wanted) and the food was yummy and we couldn't eat it all (brought home tons of goodies we picked up trying to use credits).

Erik--The free dining plan promotion was made available to Disney Visa holders today (goes to the public Thursday I think) to take advantage of the free dining plan you'd have to book a package including a stay at a WDW resort (no DVC points-sorry ) and at least a one day ticket (you wouldn't have to buy entrance for your entire stay--I know you have APs). The plan is the one you can usaully purchase if you have a package for $35 per adult per day (adult being 10 or over). Here is what the plan gives you:

1 sit down meal credit per person per night of your stay (2 people staying 9 nights would equal 18 credits). A sit down meal is one appitizer, one entree, one dessert and one non specialty drink. Tax and tip are included!!!! Or one character buffet. Also included is one casual service meal credit per person per night. This is for coutner service and one credit equals one combo meal, one drink and one dessert. Also one snack credit per person per night. Snacks are pretty much any food or drink that costs less than $4 (a soda, treats at Kring La, pacakged cookies, etc at the hotel gift shop, etc.). A few places are specials that cost 2 credits to dine at (dinner shows, Cindys, Artists Point). You can mix up your credtis and use lots on one day, none on another, share one credit between two people and then do the same again later, etc. It is a majorly good deal (for those of us who love to dine at the world).

i am doing this...so my kids will miss more school!!! we better not have too much snow or my kids will be out of days!!!! but i could not pass it up!!!

 

[txaggie94gigem]

with the free dining option and six of us we will save about $1600+ with our food paid! we got two rooms at the all star music for 7 nights, 8 days passes with everything on them and free dining for only $3058! i want to be bad and only get 1 room to save $$$ scared1: ) but it ends up saving us only about $500 so i guess the extra room and not sneaking anyone in is worth it!!! besides, the free dining for them pays for itself!

 

[tig82174]

OMG I need an Aleve and a DOD...4 hours of making fairy costumes for the school play!! Where is Erik when I need him??? I don't know if I want his sewing skills or massage skills more!?!?!?!

And this is a high school play, and it is A Midsummer Nights Dream...and apparently I am the only parent in about 5 years who has volunteered to help. I love it, but DANG...I wish it paid more... Oh well, I just think of the great memories for me, and in depth therapy my daughter will need in the future!! I mean, really, what more could a mom want???

LOL You have me confused with someone else.....I'm the sewer....CHRIS (Scoobypop) is the masseusse!! Now granted Chris and I have a lot in common and you're likely to see us all over the place together (including dining together) but I'm gonna leave all massages to him!!!


Erik

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

How do you all get so much vacation time?! I think MR. DizzneyDAnn needs a different job! I would LOVE to do the free dining thing!

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Well, Erik,if you're no masseuse then the marriage is off!

 

[tig82174]

Well, Erik,if you're no masseuse then the marriage is off!

Jason's not a half bad masseuse...how about we just include him in our marriage? That woudl probably work out best anyway....I have him so well trained after our years together I'd hate to have to cut him loose and start over!



Erik

 

[tig82174]

well...I was GOING to post a response to the question about DDE vs. dining plan (at least what i know of the two, having not actually experienced both)....but then I realized we had Hadley....and I don't want to out her or anything...but she's a disney dining planning FREEEEEAAAKKKKKK!!!! (Aren't ya, girl?!) So as soon as I saw her START to reply I know there was nothing I could add....cuz she knows her disney dining stuff! Let me tell you I wish I actually WAS Rio or Marika on their next trip cuz they're gonna eat GOOD!



Erik

 

[AuntyBrat]

LOL You have me confused with someone else.....I'm the sewer....CHRIS (Scoobypop) is the masseusse!! Now granted Chris and I have a lot in common and you're likely to see us all over the place together (including dining together) but I'm gonna leave all massages to him!!!


Erik

I have decided I would rather have you for sewing!!! Really, the girls I am working with think that hot glue is an acceptable substitute for a needle and thread. I have costumes they have glued on buttons (that need to be buttoned, oh and guess what...the buttons COME OFF!!!) tried zippers (yeah nylon zipper & hot glue ) Another trip to Joannes for more stuff this afternoon...you know this good mom thing is expensive!!

Laura

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

LOL, Erik! I never intended he be cut loose! Heavens no! I am LDS, ya know...and don't we have a rep for multiple spouses (not true, btw, lest the other LDS on board come after me!!!) I'll just have three husbands!!! Scott can care for the kids, Jason can massage, and you can handle everything else...

 

[AuntyBrat]

LOL, Erik! I never intended he be cut loose! Heavens no! I am LDS, ya know...and don't we have a rep for multiple spouses (not true, btw, lest the other LDS on board come after me!!!) I'll just have three husbands!!! Scott can care for the kids, Jason can massage, and you can handle everything else...

Now THAT will be one happy woman!!!

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Oh, Laura! I so understand! Glued on buttons????? I sew really well,but must admit to glueing on Girl Scout badges once or twice!

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Sorry Laura, they're all mine.

 

[AuntyBrat]

Oh, Laura! I so understand! Glued on buttons????? I sew really well,but must admit to glueing on Girl Scout badges once or twice!

I understand the badges...I bought fabric glue and they couldn't understand what the difference was!!! (One requires heat, oh and did I mention they are not real good at that unplug it when you are done part???) So I am making costumes and teaching basic sewing 001 (not even 101) Oh well, the stories I will have to tell on the cruise...

Rule #1 - NEVER TRY AND HOT GLUE STUFF ON CLOTHES WHILE SOMEONE IS WEARING IT!!!

 

[AuntyBrat]

Sorry Laura, they're all mine.

Ahhh come one...you have to sleep once in a while...we just want them for such nefarious purposes as shoulder rubs and fixing torn seams...I mean really, can't you loan them out for a little bit to other deserving Disers?

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Oh, I kinda figured that out back in college when I tried to iron a collar with a curling iron while wearing it. NEVER touch your clothes with something hot while you're wearing it. OUCH!!!

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Ah, sure. I can't be greedy. Anyway, the group-hug icon has 5 people in it, so it's meant to be!

Um, Eric, you're marrying Laura, too, 'kay???

 

[BobandLee]

Debbie, if I were you I would have shot six holes in the freezer....

Shoot, we never got but just a few flurries and I was ready for the Boat Drinks.

 

[padalyn]

Mine is like a credit card - hard plastic and looks a little different: