November 2012 Code Watch!!

[mommyof3princess27]

We have had free dining on the last several trips. But we still pay oop for meals. For that reason I am thinking that we may upgrade to DDP even if we get free dining this time.


That is awesome!! Happy planning!!

I was thinking the same thing that way I wont have to pay totally OOP BUT do I book all of them incase we get it? Or do I wait.... descisions descisions..

I found this that I wanted to get for my soon to be 4yo but Idk if she wil be too old for it
http://www.disneystore.com/luggage-...gage/mp/1287011/1000366/#productDetailsAnchor

or this for DD8

http://www.disneystore.com/luggage-...key-mouse-rolling-luggage/mp/1292800/1000291/

 

[jcmaro]

We officially have a date!! We will be leaving on my 30th birthday (11/23). Which also happens to be Black Friday. So my mom and I will shop all night, take a nap and then we will all (DH, me, DS, DD1, DD2 and DMom) get on the road after lunch and drive most of the way there stopping to pick up my mom's luggage at her house about 1 1/2 hours into the trip. Stay somewhere and spend Saturday the 24th at Legoland. (Shh, it's a surprise for my son. He thinks there's only the one overseas after seeing it on The Amazing Race.) And then check into Disney on the evening of the 24th and staying until Sunday, December 2nd. I'm so excited!

Now we just have to figure out where to stay and pray for some sort of discount or deal. We are paying for my mom's trip so that she will help out with the kids so the entire cost is on us. We really only have 2 options and that's either ASMu family suite or the new AoA, which is currently looking like $5600 for room/park hopper tickets/dining plan, which doesn't include the extra hotel off site, legoland tickets, tips,gas or souvineers. This trip is looking like $7000!! I counted all my change today and I have $37. Only $6963 to go!

 

[Happy Mom2]

So I was talking to mom yesterday and she really wants to eat at Sci-Fi DIne In theater now. I dont mind I do like it....but where to fit it in? Does anyone else ever use the DDP and Pay OOP for other meals? And I still wanna fit in Chef Mickeys somewhere! If I can lol but I think my schedule is pretty full now and I HAVE to remeber we are on vacation!!

Here is what I have now:

Sunday: Whispering Canyon Cafe (poppop really like BBQ and its his 75th bday :
Monday: Tusker House for breakfastI wanted T-Rex for dinner but it may be too loud for the little ones? idk they will be 3 and 4 or CM here instead of T-Rex
Tuesday:1900 Park Fare before MVMCP
Wednesday:Sci-Fi for lunch OOP and 50's for dinner OOP
Thursday:Cape May Cafe
Friday:Crystal Palace
Saturday: Garden Grill
Sunday:we could put CM here for breakfast before we leave

Sounds like a good plan. Have you looked at upgrading to the DxDDP? Would the increase in cost be justified? Probably not, but I don't know what your plans are for other meals. If not, I would pay OOP for the cheapest meals.

I worked on our itinerary for hours yesterday. I've about got with parks we will visit each day, so today I can start working on fitting our ADRs in.

 

[Happy Mom2]

We officially have a date!! We will be leaving on my 30th birthday (11/23). Which also happens to be Black Friday. So my mom and I will shop all night, take a nap and then we will all (DH, me, DS, DD1, DD2 and DMom) get on the road after lunch and drive most of the way there stopping to pick up my mom's luggage at her house about 1 1/2 hours into the trip. Stay somewhere and spend Saturday the 24th at Legoland. (Shh, it's a surprise for my son. He thinks there's only the one overseas after seeing it on The Amazing Race.) And then check into Disney on the evening of the 24th and staying until Sunday, December 2nd. I'm so excited!

Now we just have to figure out where to stay and pray for some sort of discount or deal. We are paying for my mom's trip so that she will help out with the kids so the entire cost is on us. We really only have 2 options and that's either ASMu family suite or the new AoA, which is currently looking like $5600 for room/park hopper tickets/dining plan, which doesn't include the extra hotel off site, legoland tickets, tips,gas or souvineers. This trip is looking like $7000!! I counted all my change today and I have $37. Only $6963 to go!

I think we are all in the saving mode! If you can swing it, I would definitely stay at AoA! I just love those rooms. They look like fun! Have you priced out regular rooms at the POP? I did some price comparisons yesterday and found that I could get two rooms at the POP for $500 less than a suite at AoA. I didn't compare ASMu, but it might be something worth checking into depending on your needs.

 

[exwdwcm]

I love looking for Hidden Mickies. I"ll give you a warning though......You start to see them everywhere in your every day life.

Mousejunkies is just really cute. There are 2 out now. Just go to his website. mousejunkies.com for more info.

I already see HM everywhere as it is. When I was a CM, some other CM friends showed me some really cool ones, which I am sure are in the HM book probably. But i see them at home. My coworkers thought I was crazy when I was taking a pic of the carpet at the ARIA in Vegas during our keynote at our company user conference.....it was a HM!

Thank you ThreeAngels and Happy Mom2 for the welcomes.
Thanks! I'm going to read them now. There isn't much better (if I can't be there myself) than living vicariously through someone else.

I've got our whole itinerary planned out down to what ADRs we want based on the 2011 calendar. It could all change of course, but it is fun to plan. My DH could care less where we eat 10 months from now.

Enjoy reading!! lol at your DH, mine is the same way. I asked him yesterday about it. I have our iten so far too, but it usually changes a bit when hours come out. Really in November the hours don't vary much since it is off season (for early nov anyhow). sometimes the EMH can change, but hopefully not. I'll post what i have so far in a minute! We can all compare.

I just in my infinite wisdom realized the trip I booked yesterday overlaps a regularly scheduled meeting for work so I had to call AAA to switch up our dates. We are now going 2 days earlier which makes 2 weekends instead of 1, so I figured the price would go way up.

Welp, Disney still honored our pin code and stacked it on our regular AAA discount but they couldn't give us a free upgrade to a gardenview room at POFQ as they had done for the 1st set of dates. So they offered us free gardenview upgrade for $90 more over the first price at POR or upgrade to King Bed at POFQ for $150 over our original price, which was almost $700 under disney online booking rate for a gardenview at POFQ to begin with. I took the King for the $130 so we could stay at POFQ. I figured just adding on the weekend would be at least that much, so it all worked out.
POFQ here we come Nov 2, 2012 not Nov 4, 2012!

wow, great deal, that is nice they matched it, sorry not completely, but still a good deal!!!

So I was talking to mom yesterday and she really wants to eat at Sci-Fi DIne In theater now. I dont mind I do like it....but where to fit it in? Does anyone else ever use the DDP and Pay OOP for other meals? And I still wanna fit in Chef Mickeys somewhere! If I can lol but I think my schedule is pretty full now and I HAVE to remeber we are on vacation!!

Here is what I have now:

Sunday: Whispering Canyon Cafe (poppop really like BBQ and its his 75th bday :
Monday: Tusker House for breakfastI wanted T-Rex for dinner but it may be too loud for the little ones? idk they will be 3 and 4 or CM here instead of T-Rex
Tuesday:1900 Park Fare before MVMCP
Wednesday:Sci-Fi for lunch OOP and 50's for dinner OOP
Thursday:Cape May Cafe
Friday:Crystal Palace
Saturday: Garden Grill
Sunday:we could put CM here for breakfast before we leave

My 4yo LOVEs loud stuff, but if you have kids that don't, then maybe for T-rex. I don't think it is any louder than other restaurants or heck, just being in Disney. I love doing a character breakfast on our departure day. IN fact, we hd the perfect departure day in October. We got up super early (we are early risers at WDW), checked out bags with baggage services, got our boarding passes and packed our carry ons in the car and checked out of BLT. we walked over to MK and did RD at 8am and spent 2 glorious hours riding whatever we wanted with no lines. It was a Saturday no less, but apparently no one else likes to get up early on a Saturday, or too many people were leaving or arriving that day I guess. By 10am, we took the boat to the Poly and had an amazing late breakfast at 10:45am at Ohana- we had the characters all to ourselves. Love scheduling late breakfast for that reason alone, plus we got to take advantage of an empty MK for 2 hours! It just is a nice way to end the trip.

I just gor the ok from DH to start looking at prices/deals/plans for our next trip. We are thinking November 12-19th.

woo hoo! Congrats!!! We are there that week too- 11/8-11/17

We officially have a date!! We will be leaving on my 30th birthday (11/23). Which also happens to be Black Friday. So my mom and I will shop all night, take a nap and then we will all (DH, me, DS, DD1, DD2 and DMom) get on the road after lunch and drive most of the way there stopping to pick up my mom's luggage at her house about 1 1/2 hours into the trip. Stay somewhere and spend Saturday the 24th at Legoland. (Shh, it's a surprise for my son. He thinks there's only the one overseas after seeing it on The Amazing Race.) And then check into Disney on the evening of the 24th and staying until Sunday, December 2nd. I'm so excited!

Now we just have to figure out where to stay and pray for some sort of discount or deal. We are paying for my mom's trip so that she will help out with the kids so the entire cost is on us. We really only have 2 options and that's either ASMu family suite or the new AoA, which is currently looking like $5600 for room/park hopper tickets/dining plan, which doesn't include the extra hotel off site, legoland tickets, tips,gas or souvineers. This trip is looking like $7000!! I counted all my change today and I have $37. Only $6963 to go!

What a great 30th bday!!! lol the change, hey $37 is a nice dent though! YOu will get there and hopefully some nice discounts will come along too.

 

[exwdwcm]

so here is my initial itinerary. We almost always do RD, take a break in room from like 2pm-4pm, then get back out to a different park (we love hopping).

Thursday, 11/8
Arrive late, check in POP

Friday, 11/9
Epcot AM RD for F&W, Lunch F&W
DHS evening, fast food or possibly Brown Derby

Saturday, 11/10
Crystal Palace before park opens for breakfast
MK AM with Family Magic Tour
Swim at BLT, dinner at JIKO
(only doing a little park day today since it is going to be CROWDED!)
Watch Holiday WISHES from TOW lounge at BLT

Sunday, 11/11
Epcot AM RD, F&W for lunch
MK PM for just a few hours (MVMCP night, closes early)
Dinner at Ohana or Be Our Guest

Monday, 11/12 (this should be when crowds dissipate totally!)
AK RD for EMH
Fast food lunch (or might consider Tusker House)
Stay at AK until 3 or 4 (no break like usual)
Swim at BLT, dinner at Ohana or Be Our Guest

Tuesday, 11/13
DTD in AM
Lunch at Earle or Paradiso 37
MVMCP Night! Dinner at Cosmic Ray's

Wednesday, 11/14
Sleep in day
Blizzard Beach AM (if not too cold), otherwise, park or DTD
Epcot PM
Dinner at La Hacienda late, to get table to watch Illuminations from

Thursday, 11/15
MK EMH for RD in the AM
Fast food lunch or in room (have a villa)
PM is open- either MK or DHS
Maybe try dinner at Beaches and Cream (or dessert)

Friday, 11/16
H&V breakfast before park opens at DHS (or do late breakfast at 10:45am if they are continuing to do the early opening like they are now at 8:30)
DHS AM
Epcot PM
Dinner at Garden Grill

Saturday, 11/17- departure day
MK AM at RD
late breakfast at 10:45am at Ohana
More MK or another park until departure time (probably late afternoon)

DHS AM

 

[whodatdare]

Hi guys! We are planning for Nov. 24th-Nov. 30th. We were originally going to do the 23rd to the 29th, but was told that if an offer were to come out, it would not start until the 24th... so we decided on the 24th.
We are really hoping for free dining, but we are staying at the new "Art of Animation" resort. I'm worried that because it is new, they wont be offering any discount for it. Has anyone else here booked the AOA with a discount yet? So pumped, we've never been to DW this late in the year. Our only trip was in June. 99 degrees every day!!! LOL

 

[DisneyDreamersAreWe]

so here is my initial itinerary. We almost always do RD, take a break in room from like 2pm-4pm, then get back out to a different park (we love hopping).

...

Sunday, 11/11
Epcot AM RD, F&W for lunch
MK PM for just a few hours (MVMCP night, closes early)
Dinner at Ohana or Be Our Guest

...

DHS AM

hi. I'm wondering how you know that far in advance the nights of MVMCP and when the parks close (or open)? I have been trying to find the hours for 11/26-12/1 and Disney's online calendar only goes up to August. I presumed it just wasn't released yet, but apparently you know something I don't. Is there some other place I should be looking???? TIA.

 

[Happy Mom2]

I was thinking the same thing that way I wont have to pay totally OOP BUT do I book all of them incase we get it? Or do I wait.... descisions descisions..

I found this that I wanted to get for my soon to be 4yo but Idk if she wil be too old for it
http://www.disneystore.com/luggage-...gage/mp/1287011/1000366/#productDetailsAnchor

or this for DD8

http://www.disneystore.com/luggage-...key-mouse-rolling-luggage/mp/1292800/1000291/

I would book everything you want. You can always cancel when the dates get closer and you know for sure.

If your DD loves Minnie, she'll love the suitcase! Both of them are precious.

so here is my initial itinerary. We almost always do RD, take a break in room from like 2pm-4pm, then get back out to a different park (we love hopping).

Looks like a great plan! I've been working on ours itinerary for the same time period. I'm not sure if we are going to park hop or not.

Hi guys! We are planning for Nov. 24th-Nov. 30th. We were originally going to do the 23rd to the 29th, but was told that if an offer were to come out, it would not start until the 24th... so we decided on the 24th.
We are really hoping for free dining, but we are staying at the new "Art of Animation" resort. I'm worried that because it is new, they wont be offering any discount for it. Has anyone else here booked the AOA with a discount yet? So pumped, we've never been to DW this late in the year. Our only trip was in June. 99 degrees every day!!! LOL

You are going to love going after Thanksgiving!!

hi. I'm wondering how you know that far in advance the nights of MVMCP and when the parks close (or open)? I have been trying to find the hours for 11/26-12/1 and Disney's online calendar only goes up to August. I presumed it just wasn't released yet, but apparently you know something I don't. Is there some other place I should be looking???? TIA.

I'm guessing she is going by Touring Plans estimated park hours and party dates. Disney usually release park hours 6 months in advance.

 

[Happy Mom2]

I'm trying to determine if we'd come out better using the dining plan or paying OOP. How much would you estimate the average quick service meal for a family of 4 to be?

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I'm trying to determine if we'd come out better using the dining plan or paying OOP. How much would you estimate the average quick service meal for a family of 4 to be?

I do know that when DH and I took the kids in 2010, our lunches were no less then $40 for 4 of us. Now that DD12 will be considered an adult, and we have to pay for DD3, itll be more like $50+

 

[mill4023]

I'm trying to determine if we'd come out better using the dining plan or paying OOP. How much would you estimate the average quick service meal for a family of 4 to be?

Depends on if your kids are young enough for kids meals.
I'd say the average CS meal is about $10 for adults and $6 for kids.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

so here is my initial itinerary. We almost always do RD, take a break in room from like 2pm-4pm, then get back out to a different park (we love hopping).

Thursday, 11/8
Arrive late, check in POP

Friday, 11/9
Epcot AM RD for F&W, Lunch F&W
DHS evening, fast food or possibly Brown Derby

Saturday, 11/10
Crystal Palace before park opens for breakfast
MK AM with Family Magic Tour
Swim at BLT, dinner at JIKO
(only doing a little park day today since it is going to be CROWDED!)
Watch Holiday WISHES from TOW lounge at BLT

Sunday, 11/11
Epcot AM RD, F&W for lunch
MK PM for just a few hours (MVMCP night, closes early)
Dinner at Ohana or Be Our Guest

Monday, 11/12 (this should be when crowds dissipate totally!)
AK RD for EMH
Fast food lunch (or might consider Tusker House)
Stay at AK until 3 or 4 (no break like usual)
Swim at BLT, dinner at Ohana or Be Our Guest

Tuesday, 11/13
DTD in AM
Lunch at Earle or Paradiso 37
MVMCP Night! Dinner at Cosmic Ray's

Wednesday, 11/14
Sleep in day
Blizzard Beach AM (if not too cold), otherwise, park or DTD
Epcot PM
Dinner at La Hacienda late, to get table to watch Illuminations from

Thursday, 11/15
MK EMH for RD in the AM
Fast food lunch or in room (have a villa)
PM is open- either MK or DHS
Maybe try dinner at Beaches and Cream (or dessert)

Friday, 11/16
H&V breakfast before park opens at DHS (or do late breakfast at 10:45am if they are continuing to do the early opening like they are now at 8:30)
DHS AM
Epcot PM
Dinner at Garden Grill

Saturday, 11/17- departure day
MK AM at RD
late breakfast at 10:45am at Ohana
More MK or another park until departure time (probably late afternoon)

DHS AM

wow! thats quit a schedule!!!

Hi guys! We are planning for Nov. 24th-Nov. 30th. We were originally going to do the 23rd to the 29th, but was told that if an offer were to come out, it would not start until the 24th... so we decided on the 24th.
We are really hoping for free dining, but we are staying at the new "Art of Animation" resort. I'm worried that because it is new, they wont be offering any discount for it. Has anyone else here booked the AOA with a discount yet? So pumped, we've never been to DW this late in the year. Our only trip was in June. 99 degrees every day!!! LOL

we are going to be down there at the same time!!! I havent been after Thanksgiving but I hear its nice and low crowds! I will add you to our list!

hi. I'm wondering how you know that far in advance the nights of MVMCP and when the parks close (or open)? I have been trying to find the hours for 11/26-12/1 and Disney's online calendar only goes up to August. I presumed it just wasn't released yet, but apparently you know something I don't. Is there some other place I should be looking???? TIA.

Touring Plans.com is where all the info is located with EMH, MVMCP and so forth. the pprox dates are on the front page. If you search, you can usually find a discount code and its totally worth paying for!!!!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I would book everything you want. You can always cancel when the dates get closer and you know for sure.

If your DD loves Minnie, she'll love the suitcase! Both of them are precious.

I think what I am gonna do, is give all the different families papers with a short descrition of each place, how to bbok them and what not....because of needing cc info now. That way they can pick and chose or book them all but by doing so they will be paying oop for 2 of them.

I dont wanna sound mean but its stressing me out!

I hope she does like it. havent ordered it yet. Im gonna check Target to see if there are any cute ones for the older girls first. I can always get them later. The minnie one is on sale and is tooo cute!!!

 

[Happy Mom2]

I do know that when DH and I took the kids in 2010, our lunches were no less then $40 for 4 of us. Now that DD12 will be considered an adult, and we have to pay for DD3, itll be more like $50+

That's what I was thinking. I think I like the DP just so I don't have to think about these prices!!

Depends on if your kids are young enough for kids meals.
I'd say the average CS meal is about $10 for adults and $6 for kids.

Yes, they are young enough for kids meals. Last time DS was still 2 so he ate off our plates. It was plenty of food. I'm thinking DD and DS could share some meals if they want the same thing. DS is a more adverturous eater than DD is.

I think what I am gonna do, is give all the different families papers with a short descrition of each place, how to bbok them and what not....because of needing cc info now. That way they can pick and chose or book them all but by doing so they will be paying oop for 2 of them.

I dont wanna sound mean but its stressing me out!

I hope she does like it. havent ordered it yet. Im gonna check Target to see if there are any cute ones for the older girls first. I can always get them later. The minnie one is on sale and is tooo cute!!!

I forgot you are planning a trip for extended family. I think you have a great idea. Give them the information, and let them make the ADRs.

 

[exwdwcm]

hi. I'm wondering how you know that far in advance the nights of MVMCP and when the parks close (or open)? I have been trying to find the hours for 11/26-12/1 and Disney's online calendar only goes up to August. I presumed it just wasn't released yet, but apparently you know something I don't. Is there some other place I should be looking???? TIA.

I don't know for sure. But basing it on historical hours and party nights. Typically MVMCP (and MNSSHP) are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sunday. However, the first early parties of the seasons sometimes are different dates (like Wednesdays). You can look at the historical dates. Right now the rumors on the boards are the first MVMCP will be maybe 11/7. The last MNSSHP is usually 11/1. For park hours, same thing, looking at historical hours for that time of year, similar week as last year. During slow season, the parks have shorter hours (early to mid November), Epcot is pretty much 9am-9pm with Illuminations at 9pm each night. AK is typically 9am-5pm. MK is usually 9am-and can close anywhere from 7pm (on party nights) to 10 or 11pm on weekends sometimes. MK is the hard one to predict. It can be as early as 8pm on non party nights. Sometimes they will close at like 9 or 10pm on weekends though (still talking early-mid November here, not Thanksgiving week). WISHES is usually at closing, but no WISHES on party nights. They just have Holiday WISHES for party goers. DHS is usually 9am-8pm. Fantasmic will vary, it may only show once or twice a week during slow seasons. Of course Thanksgiving week, all bets are off, the hours change dramatically to take in the crowds with extended hours, more parades etc. You can view historical hours for holiday weeks to get an idea though.

EMH is typically the same too, although party nights and stuff can change that too. Right now the schedule seems to be:

• Monday am EMH- AK, evening EMH- MK (typically MK is sunday nights, but on MVMCP nights, they switch it with DHS)
• Tuesday am EMH- Epcot, no evening EMH
• Wednesday am EMH- AK, no evening EMH
• Thursday am EMH- MK, no evening EMH
• Friday am EMH- none, evening EMH Epcot
• Saturday am EMH- DHS, evening EMH- none
• Sunday am EMH- none, evening EMH- DHS

You can see some historical hours here: http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/calendar/historical/archive/default.asp and also here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm

Hi guys! We are planning for Nov. 24th-Nov. 30th. We were originally going to do the 23rd to the 29th, but was told that if an offer were to come out, it would not start until the 24th... so we decided on the 24th.
We are really hoping for free dining, but we are staying at the new "Art of Animation" resort. I'm worried that because it is new, they wont be offering any discount for it. Has anyone else here booked the AOA with a discount yet? So pumped, we've never been to DW this late in the year. Our only trip was in June. 99 degrees every day!!! LOL

Yeah- should be a great time! here's hoping for a great discount for you! You will enjoy the great weather.

I'm trying to determine if we'd come out better using the dining plan or paying OOP. How much would you estimate the average quick service meal for a family of 4 to be?

I've done the comparison (with TIW) by simply reviewing all the menus (my favorite site is www.allears.net), then i go through and get estimates on what we might eat and what the cost is. For quick service, it can get pricey fast, more than you think. HOwever, some places have big portions and are easily shared.

 

[Happy Mom2]

Well, it is definitely the DxDP for us. Even without the counter service meals counted, we will come out ahead with the dining plan. All those darn table service restaurants are $$$$!! Oh well, at least I have THAT figured out.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Well, it is definitely the DxDP for us. Even without the counter service meals counted, we will come out ahead with the dining plan. All those darn table service restaurants are $$$$!! Oh well, at least I have THAT figured out.

I gotta figure my expenses out

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Well, it is definitely the DxDP for us. Even without the counter service meals counted, we will come out ahead with the dining plan. All those darn table service restaurants are $$$$!! Oh well, at least I have THAT figured out.

OMG!!! Im in shock!!! We are now doing the DxDP!!!!!


I am soooooo excited!!! I have always wanted to do the deluxe dining plan!!!

Now...... ahem *cough* *cough* where are you FREE DINING!!!

 

[Smileybug]

OMG!!! Im in shock!!! We are now doing the DxDP!!!!!


I am soooooo excited!!! I have always wanted to do the deluxe dining plan!!!

Now...... ahem *cough* *cough* where are you FREE DINING!!!

So, what pushed you over the edge?