November '08 ~ What Do You Mean It's Over? Should we plan another???

[kaitlin-n-mom]

Fly!! I've driven 2 times and taken a school charter bus once. It is a 18-20 hour drive for us, so flying is the way to go. Honestly, it is so much more relaxing to get on a plane and arrive in WDW ready to go and let WDW do the driving. This year we plan on getting the earliest flight out (about 6:00am) and arriving in Orlando at about 9:30a. I figure this will put us at the resort and checked in before noon. Then off to EPCOT for the last day of the F&W Fest.

I only have to purchase 2 plane tickets so for me it makes more sense. I can see where it may make more sense to drive when you have a larger family. Those plane tickets can add up. I would definately keep watch for fare specials.

An hour flight is good for your first time flying. It will seem like you no more than take off and then your descending to land. I still get nervous when I fly. But nothing a good strong drink won't cure . (yes even at 5:00 am!) if that is what it takes

 

[Bama mom to 3]

Well even if we fly we still would have to drive 2 hours to the airport (either to Birmingham,AL or to Nashville, TN) but we are still considering it. My Sister lives in B'ham so we could drive down the night before if we flew out on Saturday and stay at my sis's house and she would drive us to the airport so we didn't have the parking fees. But it basically comes down to getting a really good deal that would save us on Gas and eats on arrival day.

 

[monymony3471]

WARNING... I'm gonna get a bit sappy here:

I just wanna say I am so glad Jo started this post for us November (and now october and December ) goers. I have been a member since 2004 and didn't really get to know anyone here when I was planning the 2006 trip we were suppose to take but ended up having to cancel. I am glad I am able to get to know you all a bit better. The Dis is so big that its hard to get to know people personally. So thanks Jo, and all you posters on tis thread.

Aw, now you have me all sappy.

And now for a non-sappy post... Is anyone doing a pretrip report? If so I'd love a link to it so I can go read it.

I've done a TR before and it was a blast! My link is in my siggy. It was a surprise trip for the kids and we pulled it off. I have lots of pictures in the report too. Lots of CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS if you wanna see DISNEY AT CHRISTMS. I think I'm gonna wait until 2-4 weeks before to start the pre-trip. I don't think I'll hold anyones attention by saying, yep, I read more menus today.

Please add us to the list. Noveber 2-8 at Saratoga Springs. Thanks

:wecome: How was your cruise?

Oh, another question for everyone...Do you fly or drive? Unless there is an awesome Ding rate we will be driving. Its about 12 hours not counting stops for us to drive. So right now we are planning on leaving around midnight and me driving the first half while DH sleeps and him driving the second half while I nap. I figure I can stay up the night before so I can sleep while the kids are school on the 31st, or after DH gets home from work. Then I'll be wide awake to drive. But I would love to fly since its just an hour flight...even though it'd be my first time ever on a plane.

We prefer to fly. We drove in 05 when my oldest daughter was 10 months, my two boys, my mom, me and DH. Did I say we prefer to fly?

We are a family of 6 (new baby who is 6 months now), thank God there's a thing called frequent flyer miles.

Going there we are leaving Detroit at 6:40am arriving in Orlando at 9:18am
Coming home we are leaving Orlando at 6:55pm.

I think that's a great flight schedule. We got lucky.

 

[tnmomof4]

Well even if we fly we still would have to drive 2 hours to the airport (either to Birmingham,AL or to Nashville, TN) but we are still considering it. My Sister lives in B'ham so we could drive down the night before if we flew out on Saturday and stay at my sis's house and she would drive us to the airport so we didn't have the parking fees. But it basically comes down to getting a really good deal that would save us on Gas and eats on arrival day.

I live outside of Nashville, and I always drive. Mapquest says it is about a 10 1/2 hour drive, but it takes me a lot longer. I drive by myself with my four kids. I can't drive straight through. I have to stop for the night and then drive in the morning. I don't mind the drive, I just have to stop because I am afraid I will get tired.

 

[KayleeUK]

I wish I could drive - there just seems to be a big pond in the way

 

[Dawn68PA]

I wish I could drive - there just seems to be a big pond in the way

 

[Bama mom to 3]

I wish I could drive - there just seems to be a big pond in the way

Heehee

 

[Bama mom to 3]

I live outside of Nashville, and I always drive. Mapquest says it is about a 10 1/2 hour drive, but it takes me a lot longer. I drive by myself with my four kids. I can't drive straight through. I have to stop for the night and then drive in the morning. I don't mind the drive, I just have to stop because I am afraid I will get tired.

I am very close to the AL/TN stateline. I am in the upper west county (Lauderdale) of Alabama.

 

[mom2npr]

We have always driven to WDW. It's about 9 hours or so from the New Orleans area. We usually leave at about 4 in the morning so we get there in the afternoon. This time I want to leave on Thursday night and stop halfway so that we can get there early on Friday. I'm worried about the Thanksgiving crowds so I'm looking forward to that Friday before when its not too crowded. I'm very excited because my good friend that I teach with has just booked a trip as the same time as me! Her older son (14) will be able to ride all the things that I don't want to ride on with my DS8- Tower of Terror, etc. What I'm really looking forward to is the first time we walk down Main Street . I love the view of the castle and everything going on there. My DS4 can't wait to ride the buses!

 

[toocherie]

Could you add me?

November 1-8 at SSR

 

[HonnyDipp]

JoBird, can you change mine from POP to CBR? Thanks!

 

[ChiDisneyFan]

You can update me! All booked for Nov 23- Dec 2nd, doing a split stay-23-29 at POFQ, and then nov29-Dec2 at the Poly! First time multiple nights at a deluxe!

 

[Dawn68PA]

This is great! So many for November!

I haven't been doing much planning wise of late. We did pay off our villa so that's one less thing to worry about. Now just to save to tickets, DDP & spending money. Sometimes I think about getting a 2nd job to save more but nah....I enjoy being home to much

 

[Bama mom to 3]

Okay guys... Help me out here with opinions. I really didn't want to carry a bag in the parks this trip, but I need something to carry my camera in if I don't want to use my camera bag. So I am considering the Baggallini Messenger. Anyone have one of these that can give me a personal opinion on it? I have read the threads on the Dis about it, but wanted to hear if any of you guys have one. I figure I will need my hand sanatizer, kleenexes (allergies for me and the kids), migraine headache meds, and a few other things so I was thinking of splurging on this bag since people have posted they can fit a lot (including the same camera I have) in it.
If you don't have this bag, do you carry something else? We won't have a stroller probably to put it in, unless we see our youngest gets a bit tired of walking later in the day, but normally doesn't need one when we are doing a lot of walking. So I want something that is easy and comfortable to carry.

 

[Bama mom to 3]

Thanks Jo... it finally arrived. All that snow you sent has finally arrived. Its snowing right now here at my house. And the ground is dusted white...LOL
The kids had a 2 1/2 hour delay for school this morning (they start at 10:30 today) because of black ice on the country roads. Now it is snowing. Its not suppose to last but a little while and isn't suppose to cause any problems, but wanted say thanks for sending it my way

 

[monymony3471]

We, I mean, I carry a clear plastic backpack.

It holds enough without getting too heavy, (4 kids) and you fly through the security check.

I actually have 2, cause we always aquire so much stuff.


I have to chime in here. We originally were going to do the dinning plan but after looking at menus, adding what we'd spend, we don't see much value in it anymore. Does anyone else feel this way?

 

[KayleeUK]

Sandy

I usually carry a little rucksack style bag, but I do love the look of that messenger bag - I just need to find somewhere in the UK that stock's it LOL.

Monica

We had the dining plan on our last trip but have decided against it this year, as you said I really don't think it is good 'value' for us anymore.


____________

I keep looking and looking at menu's to plan our ADR's and I am addicted to reading Trip Reports at the moment

 

[Dawn68PA]

I carry a mini backpack. That bagllini thing looks like to much weight & too big for me to want to carry around all day. My mini backpack carries, 2 bottles of water, my wallet, sunscreen and any other daily necessities just fine and no weight on my shoulders either. Love it.

Monica ~ where did you find a clear backpack? Is it full size or a mini? I'd love to fly through security!

I still love the DDP. My family can't eat on $39/day. We are all good eaters and I don't want fast food all day. We do breakfast in the room. Usually cereal, eggs or fruit. Fast food for lunch is ok, but for dinner, I want a meal. When I total lunch and dinner combined with not having to worry about money...the DDP is the only way for me.

 

[tnmomof4]

Okay guys... Help me out here with opinions. I really didn't want to carry a bag in the parks this trip, but I need something to carry my camera in if I don't want to use my camera bag. So I am considering the Baggallini Messenger. Anyone have one of these that can give me a personal opinion on it? I have read the threads on the Dis about it, but wanted to hear if any of you guys have one. I figure I will need my hand sanatizer, kleenexes (allergies for me and the kids), migraine headache meds, and a few other things so I was thinking of splurging on this bag since people have posted they can fit a lot (including the same camera I have) in it.
If you don't have this bag, do you carry something else? We won't have a stroller probably to put it in, unless we see our youngest gets a bit tired of walking later in the day, but normally doesn't need one when we are doing a lot of walking. So I want something that is easy and comfortable to carry.

I hate to admit it , but I am one of those people that usually wears a fanny pack. Yes, I wear it in the front, and yes it is a WDW one. I know I might look funny, but with four kids, it is just easier for me to have the bag right in front of me. I have never had to take it off for rides either. I can get my camera out easy and fast. I also can get tickets out fast. When we eat, my hand santitizer is right there. I have another bag that I carry with me, but I can put it in the stroller.

But if the Baggallini Messenger was more comfortable I would like to try it.

I did get a coupon for the website e-bags. I looked at the messenger bags, so I am debating about if I should try them. My camera is one of the bigger kinds, so I don't know if it would fit. I read too that some people didn't like the buckle because it "dug" into their skin.

So... I don't know what to do either.

 

[monymony3471]

I bought the clear backpacks at Meijer's last year. 9.99 each and they are average size.