May 2010 Pre-Trip Report--Bay Lake Tower, here we come! *TR link posted! 6/8*

[Bridora]

I decided to start my Pre-Trip report tonight because I need some input from all the wonderful, knowledgeable DISers out there!

First off, I'll introduce myself. I'll have to add pictures to this post later. This was kind of a last minute decision, here! I'm B, 29, married with two kids. My hubby is also on the DIS, hi Jundland! We've a got a 9 year old daughter and a 7 year old son, but they'll be 10 and 8 by the time we get back.

Back in May 2009 we bought into Bay Lake Towers, so we're brand new DVC owners! You can find the link to that trip in my signature. We are so excited to experience BLT!

Here's where I need your advice. We've looking into doing the Dining Plan before, but never have. We're at 180 days out this Saturday (Nov.28!). Dining Plan came up again and we did an estimated meal cost from our actual trip last year. With the Dining Plan we'll be spending $100 more than we did last year. Some details: I estimated in $10.00/day snack cost. We did get a frozen drink, ice cream, a kaki gori, or bottled drink everyday...Our daughter will have to buy adult plan because she'll be 10. I'm thinking for $100.00 more we could buy the Dining Plan and be able to eat places we normally wouldn't. Like Cinderella's Royal Table. We went twice before they upped the price and added that all-in-one package.

So, what do you guys think?

Do you use the Dining Plan? Is it worth it? Is it easy to use or confusing? Any snippets of wisdom you're willing to share with me? Let me have it!

 

[princess_momma]

I'm all for the Dining Plan!!! I really think its great. I think sometimes though, its hard to compare, because the dining plan gives you stuff that you wouldn't normally get. For example, my family would not get dessert with every single meal if we weren't on the plan. But if you are leaning towards it, I say go for it. It's really conveinent and easy to use. I only had one instince when they had trouble with me being on the plan. I think it all adds up though and its a really great plan!

 

[brandip22]

Hi! We are also going in May, so I wanted to say hello! I am not sure about the DDP, either. We are also DVCers, too. I have two boys, one is 7 and one will be almost 2 by the time May rolls around. So, I'm not sure if we'll be in the parks enough or not to do the DP. We did it the first 2 times we went as a family. But, the price included the tip back then, so it was really worth it. I'm working on comparing the price with what we'll probably eat. I think if it's only $100 more- and that includes the tips you'll need to pay, it might be worth it for the budgeting alone. Anyway, I will keep watching this thread for the planning! I will probably start one soon as well

 

[wdwgirl03]

First off, congrats on being new DVC owners! My family joined in 2006 and we absolutely LOVE it. May is a great time to visit too.

As for the dining plan, can't really give you much help on that since we've never done it. But we don't really think it's worth it. I know everyone's not like this but on our trip in August we saw so many people wasting the food they got because it's so much (especially with younger kids). My sisters and I are 24, 22, and 19 and there's no way any of us could ever eat that much stuff.

 

[Bridora]

I'm all for the Dining Plan!!! I really think its great. I think sometimes though, its hard to compare, because the dining plan gives you stuff that you wouldn't normally get. For example, my family would not get dessert with every single meal if we weren't on the plan. But if you are leaning towards it, I say go for it. It's really conveinent and easy to use. I only had one instince when they had trouble with me being on the plan. I think it all adds up though and its a really great plan!

Yay! I'm glad you're here. I'll let you know our decision soon!

Hi! We are also going in May, so I wanted to say hello! I am not sure about the DDP, either. We are also DVCers, too. I have two boys, one is 7 and one will be almost 2 by the time May rolls around. So, I'm not sure if we'll be in the parks enough or not to do the DP. We did it the first 2 times we went as a family. But, the price included the tip back then, so it was really worth it. I'm working on comparing the price with what we'll probably eat. I think if it's only $100 more- and that includes the tips you'll need to pay, it might be worth it for the budgeting alone. Anyway, I will keep watching this thread for the planning! I will probably start one soon as well

Hello! When in May are you going? We'll be going at the end of May, into June. With the exception of our very 1st trip, they've all been around that time & we love it too!

First off, congrats on being new DVC owners! My family joined in 2006 and we absolutely LOVE it. May is a great time to visit too.

As for the dining plan, can't really give you much help on that since we've never done it. But we don't really think it's worth it. I know everyone's not like this but on our trip in August we saw so many people wasting the food they got because it's so much (especially with younger kids). My sisters and I are 24, 22, and 19 and there's no way any of us could ever eat that much stuff.

Thanks! We are excited--good to hear that you guys love it!! I've heard that about too much food on the Dining Plan, as well. And our DD will have just turned 10 and be on an adult plan.

 

[Bridora]

..........We decided to go with the Dining Plan. We've got the basic plan, with 1 Table service, 1 Counter service, and 1 Snack per person, per night's stay. I forgot to add in tip costs when I did my figuring, but didn't add them in to prices from our last year's meals either, because I just got pricing off allearsnet.com, but I still feel like we should give it a try this year. We pay for food anyway and get snacks throughout the day. On the Dining Plan I won't have to worry about keeping up with every receipt to record in the checkbook--which will be a relief for myself & DH! I am a bit worried about wasting food, but I'm going to do some more research (reading TR's!) and see how others have dealt with that. Hopefully, we'll be able to take some things with us if we have left-overs. What have you guys done about this?

We've only got 2 ADRs made at the moment. I'm going to make up a spread sheet later on this afternoon and figure out our meals, or at least get started on them. Here's what I've got so far:

Check-in day (Thursday): We usually do Downtown Disney for lunch and/or dinner. Earl of Sandwich is most likely our lunch choice. I think it's on the dining plan, but I don't know if it's TS or CS.

Friday: Epcot has EEMH tonight, so we'll do an ADR there for dinner. We're looking into Les Chefs de France, Akershus, and Restaurant Marrakesh.

Saturday: We're doing our pool day this day. We've got a 7:00 pm ADR for Boma! We'll do CS at the 'food court' for lunch.

Sunday: MK EEMH. We've got an ADR for lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table! I'm so excited about this! We used to eat lunch here before they uped the prices & added characters. I've missed that bread! We'll probably grab dinner at Columbia Harbor House that night, also a favorite of ours!

Monday: DHS has EEMH tonight, so we'll be there! Don't know about ADRs for this day--we don't really want any TS there...

Tuesday: Tuesday is open to anything! No plans yet for this day.

Wednesday: Animal Kingdom EEMH tonight! We're thinking about Yak & Yeti.

Check-out day (Thursday): We just go to Downtown Disney for last minute souvenirs & lunch before heading home on our check-out day. I wonder how many & what credits we'll have left...We usually do lunch at Wolfgang Puck's Express.

I'll let you guys know more when I've got it all mapped out!

I'll also get some pictures up here soon, I promise!

 

[leamom2princesses]

Hiya! We're going in May also. May 22-29th. We love going in May and the DDP works great for us. I was reading your last post and wanted to let you know that in the past, Earl of Sandwich was a CS meal. My girls loved CRT last year but we've decided to skip it this year and do 1900 PF. The girls had a great time with Cindy and the steps on our last trip and it's only one TS credit. How exciting to find another May PTR! Can't wait to see the rest of your plans!

Looks like we have girls around the same age....my 9 year old will be 10 in June.

 

[brandip22]

Hey- I wanted to say that we are also going May 22-29th. There are a lot of us going during this time, so we will all watch each others' threads! I am so excited to plan and I think all of the people I've met on here are who going at the same time are making it worse!! LOL
I think the DP will be fine. It's a great way to budget if nothing else. If the baby wasn't the baby, we'd do it again. But, we'll probably do a lot of meals in the room this time. Oh, and I didn't say WELCOME HOME to you before! We bought in 2005 and it's awesome! We hope to add more points in May. We are paying our first loan off then, so I figure we might as well just keep it going! LOL- Of course, I really need a new car- van actually, so maybe not. We'll see!

 

[princess_momma]

YAY for the Dining Plan!! My mom and I always joke about how we wish we were on the dining plan in real life!! MMMM all your meal plans sound so good!! I can't wait to hear about it!!

Oh and just so you know (you might already though), Akershus has the photo package included, just like CRT. Except the picture is with Belle. I loved it but I went for breakfast and dinner is completely different!! I think that if you guys want to have a lot of princess meals, you should definitely do that! And if one is enough, (how does Luke feel about that? ) then I would definitely go for one of the other places!! I know the one I really want to try is Les Chefs de France, so I vote that one!!

 

[Bridora]

Hiya! We're going in May also. May 22-29th. We love going in May and the DDP works great for us. I was reading your last post and wanted to let you know that in the past, Earl of Sandwich was a CS meal. My girls loved CRT last year but we've decided to skip it this year and do 1900 PF. The girls had a great time with Cindy and the steps on our last trip and it's only one TS credit. How exciting to find another May PTR! Can't wait to see the rest of your plans!

Looks like we have girls around the same age....my 9 year old will be 10 in June.

Thanks for the info on Earl of Sandwich! Sounds good to me...I still haven't made out that meal chart yet...I got pretty busy yesterday! I'll have to add your PTR to my subscription list! How fun to have others to plan with.

Hey- I wanted to say that we are also going May 22-29th. There are a lot of us going during this time, so we will all watch each others' threads! I am so excited to plan and I think all of the people I've met on here are who going at the same time are making it worse!! LOL
I think the DP will be fine. It's a great way to budget if nothing else. If the baby wasn't the baby, we'd do it again. But, we'll probably do a lot of meals in the room this time. Oh, and I didn't say WELCOME HOME to you before! We bought in 2005 and it's awesome! We hope to add more points in May. We are paying our first loan off then, so I figure we might as well just keep it going! LOL- Of course, I really need a new car- van actually, so maybe not. We'll see!

I am excited about using the DP...Thanks for the welcome!
about your loan! Tough decision!

YAY for the Dining Plan!! My mom and I always joke about how we wish we were on the dining plan in real life!! MMMM all your meal plans sound so good!! I can't wait to hear about it!!

Oh and just so you know (you might already though), Akershus has the photo package included, just like CRT. Except the picture is with Belle. I loved it but I went for breakfast and dinner is completely different!! I think that if you guys want to have a lot of princess meals, you should definitely do that! And if one is enough, (how does Luke feel about that? ) then I would definitely go for one of the other places!! I know the one I really want to try is Les Chefs de France, so I vote that one!!

We looked at lots of places last night. DH is the one who wanted to go to Akershus, and I kept telling him it was princess, but he just wanted to try the food that badly. I don't think Luke will be interested, though, and I'm sure I can get Max to want food from somewhere else!

 

[MaryAz]

Just wanted to pop in and say hi. I am also going in late May 22-30th. I was on the fence about the dining plan cause my kids tend to eat more "adult" than kid food. In the end we decided to do it. We are doing CRT again this year-had such a fun time there last year. My kiddos are younger but looking forward to planning with you!! We are hoping to buy DVC after the New Year.

 

[Brave teacher]

I'm hopping in to say hi as well. ANother Diser here going on May 22nd. We are also DVC members, but we are staying at Kidani.

 

[ladybugmom]

Hi!! We're also going to be in WDW May 22-29!! I just read your last TR and saw that you are from Arkansas?! Which part? We are right by AR is Memphis, TN!! Oh--and we LOVE the DDP!! It allows us to do a lot of character meals and nice sit-down meals!! It worked great for us this last trip! We did CRT last time (doing 1900 Park Fare for something different next time). CRT was Ally's favorite (my oldest DD)!!

 

[Bridora]

This is quite the May party! How exciting!

Just wanted to pop in and say hi. I am also going in late May 22-30th. I was on the fence about the dining plan cause my kids tend to eat more "adult" than kid food. In the end we decided to do it. We are doing CRT again this year-had such a fun time there last year. My kiddos are younger but looking forward to planning with you!! We are hoping to buy DVC after the New Year.

DH has been wanting DVC for years! We are so glad we are finally able to be members~hope you will be too! I'm hoping that DD will be willing to share some of her 'adult' food with DS. At least at the TS places where he might not have enough with the kids meal, and she might have too much.

I'm hopping in to say hi as well. ANother Diser here going on May 22nd. We are also DVC members, but we are staying at Kidani.

Hi! We are so excited to be able to try different DVC resorts, but I'm afraid we'll be spoiled to the Monorail!

Hi!! We're also going to be in WDW May 22-29!! I just read your last TR and saw that you are from Arkansas?! Which part? We are right by AR is Memphis, TN!! Oh--and we LOVE the DDP!! It allows us to do a lot of character meals and nice sit-down meals!! It worked great for us this last trip! We did CRT last time (doing 1900 Park Fare for something different next time). CRT was Ally's favorite (my oldest DD)!!

Hi! for May! We're in central Arkansas near Little Rock-We go through Memphis at least once a year on our way to Disney & my inlaws have ties to Memphis. I am so glad you love the DDP!

 

[Bridora]

Hi guys! I'm still here...but we haven't done much in the way of planning until recently, so I didn't really have much of a update. Plus, it's been a bit busy with the holidays coming up, kids's activities, and finals (I went back to school this semester, taking 2 online courses).

We've added a few more ADRs to our list! We've still got some major deciding to be done, however. Here's what we've added:

We'll be trying out The Wave for dinner on our check-in night. It's a first for us, & we're excited!

We chose Restaurant Marrakesh over Les Chefs de France for dinner on Friday. We plan on eating at Sunshine Seasons for lunch that day, but since it's counter service, we don't have to stick to it.

The other decisions weren't ADRs, but just choices I could record in the handy-dandy spreadsheet I'm using. We're doing Counter Service at the Contemporary on our pool day, Saturday. We'll be having lunch at Columbia Harbor House (a favorite of ours!) on Sunday.

Still up in the air : Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday.

We'd better get to work!

Here's a picture of me from our trip last year.

Here's a shot of the kids...

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Hello, joining in on your wait!!! We went to Disney World for the first time last May! Oh, we loved it so much. We are going back in September 2010 and cannot wait. That is why I am here on the dis of course.

Good choice going with the dining plan. We have only been once of course, but we did do the dining plan and I couldn't imagine going without it. You don't have to worry about anything. I am also a huge fan of the mugs, we will definitely get them again next trip too. They saved us so much money on drinks!!!

And congrats on the DVC, that is awesome!!!

You have a beautiful family.

 

[MaryAz]

We are also trying the Wave this time too. Looks yummy!

 

[princess_momma]

Hey!! I am still here! I finally got internet back!! YAY!! I hope all is well with you and your family!! I want to hear all about how Christmas goes.

 

[Brave teacher]

Yummy! I love talking about Disney food. We have plans to try the Wave pretty soon. Boma is just yummy!

Yall are so cute!

Merry Christmas!

 

[ladybugmom]

Oh--I'm so glad you posted pics!!! And your additional dining choices sound wonderful!!