November 2010 Code watch

[bnts1993]

when does Disney put the Christmas Decoraions up?

 

[poffles]

I am already booked at AKL for November, but I have always admired the Dolphon and Swan when we have passed them , just wondering do they offer bus transportaion,and EMH like the Disney Resorts?

They have the bus transportation to the parks just like all the others Disney resorts (not sure what EMH is but if it's early access then yes they have that too) but no transport to/from the airport as they are not considered true Dis resort. The other difference is that, while you can send packages back to your room from the parks, your room card is not tied to spending at the parks like you can do at true Dis resorts so you need to carry separate money/credit.

We loved the Swan when we stayed there, location is awesome. However, we never got the true Disney feel while staying there and I missed food courts and restaurants that other resorts have. Felt the Swan was a bit upscale in that respect, but the boardwalk was close by.

Also, the beds are the most comfortable I've ever slept on!!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

We are often at WDW the weekend after Thanksgiving and the decorations are always up by then.

There are fewer crowds, usually a good rate, and all the delights of the holidays without the work.

Hope to meet you there!

Slightly Goofy

 

[Lilmattie13]

Thats when we are going, the Friday after Thanksgiving. I have never been at that time so any thoughts on how that week is would be great, especially since you are experienced in that week. Can wait this is the first time we will see it for Xmas. We always go in the fall which is great but this is the only season I have left to conquer in disney magic.

 

[TerrytownGrl]

when does Disney put the Christmas Decoraions up?

We went TG week 2008 and the decorations were up when we arrived the Sunday before Thanksgiving. And the MK should be decorated even earlier in November in time for the first MVMCP.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Lilmattie13, we are an older couple and tend to take it a bit slower nowadays. We went often at that time of year when we were younger too but senility does not allow for me to remember it in much detail.

Honestly, things change so much at DW and everyone expects and wants different things that it is really difficult to tell anyone else what to expect.

I can give you a few of my tips that work for us.

I plan to visit a park the day after it has EMH as it is usually much less busy then.

I plan my agenda around some of our must see things such as parades which are not always shown on every night.

I plan the park and then I fuss about where we are going to eat as I cannot think of a thing that is good enough to run from one side of the park to the other for.

That time of the year is so special and there are so many things to see outside the parks that you might want to plan a few out of park days. We stay for two weeks generally so I only get 10 day passes now.

The day we arrive we plan to hit the monorail that evening and ride it around (15 minutes per tour) and get off at the different resorts and see the decorations. You have to hunt a mite for the ones at the Contemporary. We always end at the Poly where we grab something to eat and drink from Captain Cook's and then head for the beach, which is usually deserted or nearly so, grab chaises right smack dab in front of the lake view of The Castle and settle in to see Wishes from there and then the Electric Water Pageant. It is such a wonderful way to get our Disney legs and look forward to the rest of our trip.

Slightly Goofy

 

[Lilmattie13]

Wow that sounds so delightful. I am going to write that itinerary down so I remember it lol

I cant wait to see the decorations just not sure I will be able to get them all in. In my dreams I would like to see every resort and park lol But I think that may be overstretching a bit for 9 days lol

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Lilmattie13, will you be driving? Do you have children in your party?

The monorail tour takes in the Grand Floridian, Contemporary as well as the Poly so those would be easy to see.

I believe you can take the boat to the resorts on the lagoon.

I usually drive to the rest as they are right off Buena Vista, a major road through the property. Some resorts are better than others as far as decorations.

There is a game called Bus Bingo that someone came up with that I have always wanted to try and that means that you leave your resort and hop on the first bus you see and so on all day long. It takes you to places that you might not have considered.

Night is the best time for many of the decorations.

There will be threads about the best decorations when it gets closer to time and you might be able to find some of the old ones as many decorations do not change that much from year to year. There has been fewer in the past couple of years. Those who do not go often at that time of year might not notice though.

Slightly Goofy

 

[Lilmattie13]

I am definitely going to keep my eyes open for threads on decorations. Especially where I want to see and do it all, I may have to tame myself down a little

I see you have losgt 130 lbs. CONGRATS!!!

I had bypass surgery on Jan 28 I am down 32 lbs and working hard. I was hoping it would be a little easier but alas my thyriod, which was wacky before the surgery, has other ideas. Oh well slow weight loss is better than no weight loss.

 

[poffles]

Do you guys book now and then call back or rebook if there is a code or discount? Or do you just wait and see what happens when the date gets closer and then book it. I really hope there is some special for the last week of Nobember early December.

 

[sjs314]

Do you guys book now and then call back or rebook if there is a code or discount? Or do you just wait and see what happens when the date gets closer and then book it. I really hope there is some special for the last week of Nobember early December.

I would book and wait to see if I recieved a pin or what offers come out for the general public, especially when wanting to go to WDW during popular times, and yes you can call back and change applying a pin or discount as long as there are rooms available in the same type catagory

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Lilmattie13, congratulations! My sister had the surgery around Thanksgiving time and has lost about 140#'s so far. I am losing mine the old fashioned way and I promise you that pounds lost slowly are the best ones because they have the hardest time finding their way back home. No matter how much you try you will never see or do everything. They plan it that way so you keep on returning!

poffles, if you are certain of the dates you want to go I would go ahead and make a reservation and then you can adjust when the codes or deals come out. I fit my trips in when I see a good deal since we are retired and are more flexible with our dates.

Slightly Goofy

 

[Renosiris]

I really hope they release the magic hours, or just regular park hours for November soon. I will be able to book our dining on May 9th and it's tricky when I don't know that other stuff.

*crossing fingers it is out before may 9th*

 

[sjs314]

I really hope they release the magic hours, or just regular park hours for November soon. I will be able to book our dining on May 9th and it's tricky when I don't know that other stuff.

*crossing fingers it is out before may 9th*

I so hear you. I don't book my ADR's until May 18th but right now everything is contingent on if they run the MVMCP and Osborne Lights during our stay since we also plan on taking in the F & W Festival at least if they put out the park hours one can guess about the MVMCP if MK closes early. Keeping fingers crossed it runs early like last year. If not will have to plan another trip for next year or see if we can afford to extend this trip

 

[Renosiris]

Yeah that party is the other fly in the ointment (to steal a saying from my granny). I never get park hoppers because ...well....we never park hop. However, we're getting it this time because I suspect that we're going to end up having to hop. That and we have several restuarants we want to hit up in Epcot lol.

 

[poffles]

I would book and wait to see if I recieved a pin or what offers come out for the general public, especially when wanting to go to WDW during popular times, and yes you can call back and change applying a pin or discount as long as there are rooms available in the same type catagory

If they offer free dining and you already booked either with or without dining, if you call back to get the offer is it treated like a new reservation or will they just alter the existing?

My concern is I would like to book and make payments along the way but I don't want to end up with them recharging a credit card to rebook to get the free dining. I would be dinged the exchange and charge all over again (Canadian here).

Can others speak to past experiences with this?

 

[Itinkso]

DH and I have BWI booked for Nov 10 - 14. DD will be working as part of the Disney College Program. She'll know in June whether or not her cast member discount applies to the BWI. I hope so, if not, we'll have to book another resort.

 

[youalleverybody]

subscribing.

We are going the end of Oct./beginning of Nov. Hope to get some kind of room discount or free dining.

 

[THEVACATIONFAMILY]

If they offer free dining and you already booked either with or without dining, if you call back to get the offer is it treated like a new reservation or will they just alter the existing?

My concern is I would like to book and make payments along the way but I don't want to end up with them recharging a credit card to rebook to get the free dining. I would be dinged the exchange and charge all over again (Canadian here).

Can others speak to past experiences with this?

Just booked our 10 day MYW trip, 11/28-12/07. Already asked that quesiton, if I receive a PIN, while I am paying on it, can I apply the cheaper PIN. The CM said sure, just have to figure out what will be cheaper since we already have a room only PIN, 40% off. I am hoping for the FREE DINING PIN, we want that more than ever since we used a free dining pin before and believe me, it saved us alot of DISNEY MONEY. . Me DW DD DD ALL STAR SPORTS RESORT.

 

[satkb]

Just booked our 10 day MYW trip, 11/28-12/07. Already asked that quesiton, if I receive a PIN, while I am paying on it, can I apply the cheaper PIN. The CM said sure, just have to figure out what will be cheaper since we already have a room only PIN, 40% off. I am hoping for the FREE DINING PIN, we want that more than ever since we used a free dining pin before and believe me, it saved us alot of DISNEY MONEY. . Me DW DD DD ALL STAR SPORTS RESORT.

I booked 11/28-12/5 family suite at All Star Music. I too am hoping for a Free Dining Pin. That would be a great savings. A 40 % off room only would be great but my understanding is they never offer that for the value resorts. I also asked CM and was told if received a pin or discount is offered, all I needed to do is call. The Free Dining is my Disney wish. We ate well on dining plan last visit.