November 2012 Code Watch!!

[exwdwcm]

Hey all, I started a November 2012 DIS'ers group on Facebook. I've found it fun to connect on FB and did this last year with my October thread. We've all stayed in touch even after our trips.

If you are interested, it is currently a closed group, but if you want to friend me on FB, I can add you. I am Michelle Easler Peters on FB. Hope to see you there!

 

[letthewookiewin]

Thanks! I think option 2 is for us. If I do option 1, grandparents cant go to MVMCP So that is that!!! THANKS!!! I knew you guys would be able to help!!!

Im sure you will still have a wonderful time no matter when you go! Afterall, you will be in DISNEY!!!!

I'm glad I was able to help.

You are so right!! That's what I keep telling myself. Plus it is more time to convince my sil and bil to come with us. Now on to the really hard stuff, like how do I want to spend my birthday. Since, it's supposed to be one of the slowest times of the year, I don't know if I'll worry about TP or not. I would rather go to DHS on an AM EMH, but not if it's on my birthday or John's. We will spend John's bday at Epcot, like he said he has wanted to since our last trip. My birthday is a MK day, that's just a no brainer. Now I just have to work out the ADR's.

Ok, here is the part I need the most help with. So far, this trip has been kept from the boys. I don't want to tell them until the trip is paid off, b/c this trip has already changed a bunch. Also, until it is paid off, there is always the chance that it could be canceled. No matter which option I pick, they will not know about the trip until it's totally paid off. These are my options as far as letting the DSs in on the trip.

Options 1 (the way we are currently letting them know)
They know we are going to FL, but think we are just going to Kennedy Space Center and to see Civil War sites on the way there. We don't plan on telling them anything, and will just wait until they figure it out themselves. The night before we check in, we'll stay at an Orlando hotel. Then get up the morning of checking in to WDW, and drive on to property. If they say something, we'll tell them. If not, we won't say anything until we are checking in.

Option 2 (a lot like 1)
Don't tell them anything but keep with the current trip knowledge. Then when we get into the car to leave, have a card sitting on John's seat in the mini van. It will be from "Mickey" inviting him to spend his birthday at WDW.

Option 3
Act like the trip they think we were planning to Kennedy Space Center and to see the Civil War stuff was canceled. Even though they are old enough to know the real deal about Santa, he still leaves them gifts. Heck he still brought me and my siblings gifts until we got married. Santa always wraps their presents in red and white paper. This Christmas morning, in addition to Santa leaving gifts Mickey could leave them stuff to use on the trip, but make sure to use non-red/white paper. I'll use Disney paper. Things like a pin trading starter, Disney gift cards (for spending money), and some other things. Then there would be a card inviting them to use those items on their trip to WDW.

 

[letthewookiewin]

Hey all, I started a November 2012 DIS'ers group on Facebook. I've found it fun to connect on FB and did this last year with my October thread. We've all stayed in touch even after our trips.

If you are interested, it is currently a closed group, but if you want to friend me on FB, I can add you. I am Michelle Easler Peters on FB. Hope to see you there!

That's a great idea, but I'm no longer going in November.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I'm glad I was able to help.

You are so right!! That's what I keep telling myself. Plus it is more time to convince my sil and bil to come with us. Now on to the really hard stuff, like how do I want to spend my birthday. Since, it's supposed to be one of the slowest times of the year, I don't know if I'll worry about TP or not. I would rather go to DHS on an AM EMH, but not if it's on my birthday or John's. We will spend John's bday at Epcot, like he said he has wanted to since our last trip. My birthday is a MK day, that's just a no brainer. Now I just have to work out the ADR's.

Ok, here is the part I need the most help with. So far, this trip has been kept from the boys. I don't want to tell them until the trip is paid off, b/c this trip has already changed a bunch. Also, until it is paid off, there is always the chance that it could be canceled. No matter which option I pick, they will not know about the trip until it's totally paid off. These are my options as far as letting the DSs in on the trip.

Options 1 (the way we are currently letting them know)
They know we are going to FL, but think we are just going to Kennedy Space Center and to see Civil War sites on the way there. We don't plan on telling them anything, and will just wait until they figure it out themselves. The night before we check in, we'll stay at an Orlando hotel. Then get up the morning of checking in to WDW, and drive on to property. If they say something, we'll tell them. If not, we won't say anything until we are checking in.

Option 2 (a lot like 1)
Don't tell them anything but keep with the current trip knowledge. Then when we get into the car to leave, have a card sitting on John's seat in the mini van. It will be from "Mickey" inviting him to spend his birthday at WDW.

Option 3
Act like the trip they think we were planning to Kennedy Space Center and to see the Civil War stuff was canceled. Even though they are old enough to know the real deal about Santa, he still leaves them gifts. Heck he still brought me and my siblings gifts until we got married. Santa always wraps their presents in red and white paper. This Christmas morning, in addition to Santa leaving gifts Mickey could leave them stuff to use on the trip, but make sure to use non-red/white paper. I'll use Disney paper. Things like a pin trading starter, Disney gift cards (for spending money), and some other things. Then there would be a card inviting them to use those items on their trip to WDW.

I likw option 3...we are doing something similar only Santa will bring them an early gift and he helped Mickey plan and helped mommy and daddy pay for it

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I'm glad I was able to help.

You are so right!! That's what I keep telling myself. Plus it is more time to convince my sil and bil to come with us. Now on to the really hard stuff, like how do I want to spend my birthday. Since, it's supposed to be one of the slowest times of the year, I don't know if I'll worry about TP or not. I would rather go to DHS on an AM EMH, but not if it's on my birthday or John's. We will spend John's bday at Epcot, like he said he has wanted to since our last trip. My birthday is a MK day, that's just a no brainer. Now I just have to work out the ADR's.

Ok, here is the part I need the most help with. So far, this trip has been kept from the boys. I don't want to tell them until the trip is paid off, b/c this trip has already changed a bunch. Also, until it is paid off, there is always the chance that it could be canceled. No matter which option I pick, they will not know about the trip until it's totally paid off. These are my options as far as letting the DSs in on the trip.

Options 1 (the way we are currently letting them know)
They know we are going to FL, but think we are just going to Kennedy Space Center and to see Civil War sites on the way there. We don't plan on telling them anything, and will just wait until they figure it out themselves. The night before we check in, we'll stay at an Orlando hotel. Then get up the morning of checking in to WDW, and drive on to property. If they say something, we'll tell them. If not, we won't say anything until we are checking in.

Option 2 (a lot like 1)
Don't tell them anything but keep with the current trip knowledge. Then when we get into the car to leave, have a card sitting on John's seat in the mini van. It will be from "Mickey" inviting him to spend his birthday at WDW.

Option 3
Act like the trip they think we were planning to Kennedy Space Center and to see the Civil War stuff was canceled. Even though they are old enough to know the real deal about Santa, he still leaves them gifts. Heck he still brought me and my siblings gifts until we got married. Santa always wraps their presents in red and white paper. This Christmas morning, in addition to Santa leaving gifts Mickey could leave them stuff to use on the trip, but make sure to use non-red/white paper. I'll use Disney paper. Things like a pin trading starter, Disney gift cards (for spending money), and some other things. Then there would be a card inviting them to use those items on their trip to WDW.

Hey all, I started a November 2012 DIS'ers group on Facebook. I've found it fun to connect on FB and did this last year with my October thread. We've all stayed in touch even after our trips.

If you are interested, it is currently a closed group, but if you want to friend me on FB, I can add you. I am Michelle Easler Peters on FB. Hope to see you there!

ok I found you on FB but wont let me add you or even request you....can you find me? Erin Nicole Lebrun

 

[Gymbomom]

Hey all, I started a November 2012 DIS'ers group on Facebook. I've found it fun to connect on FB and did this last year with my October thread. We've all stayed in touch even after our trips.

If you are interested, it is currently a closed group, but if you want to friend me on FB, I can add you. I am Michelle Easler Peters on FB. Hope to see you there!

I friended you!!! I can't believe you are in Plano! I am in Rockwall. Small World!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I friended you!!! I can't believe you are in Plano! I am in Rockwall. Small World!

I cant find the friend button lol! All I found was the subcriber button

 

[Gymbomom]

I cant find the friend button lol! All I found was the subcriber button

She has the new timeline, so it is harder to see. It's right under the big picture.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

it just says subscribe for me but thanks anyway

 

[letthewookiewin]

scary on your c-section, but so glad you made it through with two healthy happy kiddos! My sister has a one year old, just turned one and just told us at Christmas she is preggo again!

i've done plenty of large family trips, so i know how frustrating it can be to work around everyone's schedule and preferences. Sometimes you just have to move forward and if they can come great, if not, too bad. otherwise, you end up waiting around for everyone! lol

We've only done the dining plan twice, it was free both times. One time was back when they included an appetizer per person for the sit down meal. it was WAY too much food. Then in 2009 we had FD in early December for our party of 15. It was great, but again, I almost felt like we were eating all the time and with a party of 15, the meals were NOT quick. We often were there for 2 hours, because it took so long for the CMs to figure out all the checks, since we were in 5 separate rooms. It was just a pain. Now that we bought DVC, we obviously can't get FD anymore (at least when staying on points). I've considered buying it, but we ended up getting APs and TIW instead and used that. I'll be doing the numbers for our November trip to see what makes sense, since our APs expired now and TIW did too. Although they just announced DVC members can purchase TIW without having an AP, so that is good. Last year after running the numbers, it was cheaper for us to use TIW over paying for the DP. I even picked out what ew would order at each place and did the calculations.

Thanks, it was very scary. We were only 21 at the time, and he was only 4 lbs at birth. Now he's 14, and 5'9"-5'10"-ish. Everyone in our families always says, that they wouldn't have worried about us so much, if we had only known how big he would grow.

I friended you!!! I can't believe you are in Plano! I am in Rockwall. Small World!

Y'all are both close to us. We are in Justin. There used to be DIS DFW meets, but I was only able to go to one.

 

[letthewookiewin]

I likw option 3...we are doing something similar only Santa will bring them an early gift and he helped Mickey plan and helped mommy and daddy pay for it

Thanks!! The more I think about it, that's the one I like the best.

 

[Happy Mom2]

Well it's official.....we are no longer going in November. My mil told me this afternoon that she talked to my fil about it this morning and my DH can't have the time off in November. If there is just no other week to go, then we could have the time. The problem is, I know if we go in November, it will be miserable before and after the trip, and we will never hear the end of it. Well at least now I know for sure, so I can start the planning. It looks like our youngest will be turning 14 and I will be turning 37 at WDW. It looks like the trip is back to the original January date, but it's 2013 instead of 2012.[/FONT][/COLOR]

At least you know for sure so you can start planning your trip! You are going to have an awesome birthday!! I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be more than Magic Kingdom! I think you should get a tiara and be a princess for the day!!

Thanks! We are looking forward to it. Going to some great places to eat is what my husband loves and keeps him coming back. But, we have to do a split stay because we couln't afford it for the whole time - not would we be able to eat all of it!! Last year we did the same thing and for the 4 days we were on the plan, we didn't even go to the parks!! Just ate and hung out together at the resort!! Loved every minute of it too. Of course our kids are 15 and 11 now.

I have a question about the split stay. I thought about doing it, but couldn't the numbers to work out. I'm hoping I misunderstood things. We wanted to do the dining plan the whole time, and split our stay between a deluxe and a value resort, but it made the park ticket price go up since we were going to have to purchase separate park tickets for each portion of our stay. (Am I making sense?) If this correct? Is there a way to avoid paying too much to park tickets?

Ok, here is the part I need the most help with. So far, this trip has been kept from the boys. I don't want to tell them until the trip is paid off, b/c this trip has already changed a bunch. Also, until it is paid off, there is always the chance that it could be canceled. No matter which option I pick, they will not know about the trip until it's totally paid off. These are my options as far as letting the DSs in on the trip.

Options 1 (the way we are currently letting them know)
They know we are going to FL, but think we are just going to Kennedy Space Center and to see Civil War sites on the way there. We don't plan on telling them anything, and will just wait until they figure it out themselves. The night before we check in, we'll stay at an Orlando hotel. Then get up the morning of checking in to WDW, and drive on to property. If they say something, we'll tell them. If not, we won't say anything until we are checking in.

Option 2 (a lot like 1)
Don't tell them anything but keep with the current trip knowledge. Then when we get into the car to leave, have a card sitting on John's seat in the mini van. It will be from "Mickey" inviting him to spend his birthday at WDW.

Option 3
Act like the trip they think we were planning to Kennedy Space Center and to see the Civil War stuff was canceled. Even though they are old enough to know the real deal about Santa, he still leaves them gifts. Heck he still brought me and my siblings gifts until we got married. Santa always wraps their presents in red and white paper. This Christmas morning, in addition to Santa leaving gifts Mickey could leave them stuff to use on the trip, but make sure to use non-red/white paper. I'll use Disney paper. Things like a pin trading starter, Disney gift cards (for spending money), and some other things. Then there would be a card inviting them to use those items on their trip to WDW.

I vote for option 3!

 

[letthewookiewin]

At least you know for sure so you can start planning your trip! You are going to have an awesome birthday!! I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be more than Magic Kingdom! I think you should get a tiara and be a princess for the day!!

Very true. I used to have one. I bought it at a store called Sam Moon. It was all sparkley and pretty. When I wore it, my DH and my boys knew not to mess with me. We called them tiara days. I think my DH tossed it when we moved. I'll have to get me another one.

I vote for option 3!

Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I like that one the best. I talked about it with my DH and he doesn't like it. He wants to stick with not telling them anything. He's just worried about having to cancel. I think he will like the idea of telling them that way once the trip is paid off.

 

[Smileybug]

Good morning ya'll.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Good Morning I finally got my scrapbook area cleaned up last night so I can start working on the planning journals!

 

[Gymbomom]

I have a question about the split stay. I thought about doing it, but couldn't the numbers to work out. I'm hoping I misunderstood things. We wanted to do the dining plan the whole time, and split our stay between a deluxe and a value resort, but it made the park ticket price go up since we were going to have to purchase separate park tickets for each portion of our stay. (Am I making sense?) If this correct? Is there a way to avoid paying too much to park tickets?

This is my plan right now. We will check in on the 16th IF there is a package or room only deal. In the past, that has been the last day of check-in to receive a discount. I don't want to take the kids out of schoool that day, so we would be leaving on the last flight out that night. If we didn't ge a deal, we would arrive on the 17th. We plan on doing deluxe dining, change passes to TEN day park hoppers. I still haven't decided on which resort. I would really like to stay cheaper since we are splurging on dining.

On the 20th, we will check-out and check-in to hopefully BCV renting points from a friend of ours. We have already worked out the deal with them. If I hadn't rented points.....we most likely would have done a room only reservation. We will check out the 28th. I will just have to choose a few days to be non-park days, which won't be a problem.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I hoping to go in November also, just waiting for those discounts!

We normally stay at the Polynesian but the rates have gone up so much over the years, I may venture somewhere else.
Anyone book the Art of Animation? I like the suites and big space.

 

[dazednconfused]

Hello all.
I read on allears.net that those on the Dining Plan can no longer use their CS credits towards snacks. Isn't that sad news? I was able to use 1 CS credit for 3 snacks in '09 when we were at WDW on FD. Now I will have to re-evaluate the benefits of the Dining Plan. I'd rather not be on the Dining Plan. It's just TOO much food for us. Way too much! But if FD is offered, it may not be such a bad thing. However, I anticipate a lot of CS credits going to waste if we cannot use them towards snacks. Thoughts??

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Hello all.
I read on allears.net that those on the Dining Plan can no longer use their CS credits towards snacks. Isn't that sad news? I was able to use 1 CS credit for 3 snacks in '09 when we were at WDW on FD. Now I will have to re-evaluate the benefits of the Dining Plan. I'd rather not be on the Dining Plan. It's just TOO much food for us. Way too much! But if FD is offered, it may not be such a bad thing. However, I anticipate a lot of CS credits going to waste if we cannot use them towards snacks. Thoughts??

My CS creditss never go to waste....we use them all BUT if you know you arent gonna use them, I would think about just paying OOP for the dining you will use

 

[exwdwcm]

ok I found you on FB but wont let me add you or even request you....can you find me? Erin Nicole Lebrun

Just sent you a friend request! as soon as you accept, I'll add you to the group.

I friended you!!! I can't believe you are in Plano! I am in Rockwall. Small World!

How funny- i grew up in Mesquite (Poteet HS) and most of my friends live in Rockwall or Rowlett area. I am in south plano, live right off of George Bush, so now with the new stretch of 190 open, it's an easy hop to Rockwall! Too funny!

I have a question about the split stay. I thought about doing it, but couldn't the numbers to work out. I'm hoping I misunderstood things. We wanted to do the dining plan the whole time, and split our stay between a deluxe and a value resort, but it made the park ticket price go up since we were going to have to purchase separate park tickets for each portion of our stay. (Am I making sense?) If this correct? Is there a way to avoid paying too much to park tickets?



I vote for option 3!

i haven't done this before, but I believe from what i've read around here, that yes, you have to book the two separate packages, meaning two separate ticket packages too, in order to qualify for the FD or discounts at both resorts since you are splitting. usually the package doesn't work without the tickets, so you have to get both ticket packages, which really isn't ideal or financially the best deal. You might try asking on the theme park boards if there is a way around that. perhaps you can take the tickets from one package and upgrade them to the non expiring to use later and then just add days to the tickets from the first stay? I think what I've read is that you would have to book the first stay (say 4 nights) with the package- room for 4 nights and then tickets for your entire length of stay (say 8 day tickets). then for the second stay, you have to book resort/room only, which means no free dining though. not sure if there is a way around it?

here is a thread on it- http://www.htp.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2696078