November 2012 Trip planners #4~almost Disney time! Everyone welcome!

[mommyof3princess27]

I only had one scrapper so far and have ordered like 60 pins

 

[kerriemiller]

working on posting a picture of the dresses I got the girls to wear for our date with Cinderella. We are going to the 1900 PF dinner and the castle, I think these are dresses that would be best worn to the castle. Hopefully I can get this picture upload to work.

 

[vleeth]

I surprised DD when she was 9 with a Mother's Day weekend trip. I kept it from her until we were in the car on the way to FL. I picked her up from school at noon- her teacher knew about the trip and kept the secret. I told her I had an eye doctor appointment far from home.

We got over 2 hours down the road before I told her. I gave her a Mother's Day card from her teddy bear. It said that she was going to get a call and be ready for it. I had arranged for DD to get one of those automated character calls from Mickey telling her to have a good trip.

She answered the phone and listened to Mickey, but still didn't get it. As soon as she hung up, I had one of my Disney CDs playing "When You Wish Upon A Star". It finally hit her, and she just lost it- she was so excited, she was crying and screaming. It was great! She told me I was the best mom ever (made me cry, too).

We had a wonderful 3 days at WDW- went to the Pirates & Princess Party, got to see Epcot during the Flower & Garden Festival, and enjoyed a great Mom/Daughter Mother's Day weekend.

I would do another surprise trip again- she loved it and I loved surprising her!

That is so sweet!

DS (then 5.5) did on our last trip. He had a blast. It wasn't quite what I heard it used to be, but it's nice that most or all of the kids who want to do it get a chance now.

I'm trying to figure out how long before the her showtime do we need to be in that area. I heard 20 mins. That just seems like a long time to stand there and wait for a show to start when we could be riding something else. But I don't want to show up 5 mins before the show and find out they gave her spot to someone else.

 

[exwdwcm]

Thanks so much for the info....couple other questions...do they have multiple seating or just one time slot per night...for instance that night..Nov. 6th....no main street parade just wishes at 8pm....so what time would I pick for ressie or would it default to just one time...lastly when do I need to be in line and what time do they start to seat....

Typically the seating is an hour before, but they can stagger it sometimes by 15 minutes just so everyone isn't arriving all at once. I would pick the earliest time they offer. If it is an 8pm WISHES, they typically start at 7, but could start as early as 6:45 or offer 7:15- that is just the time they let you in, the desserts and all should be ready and out an hour before.

does anyone do pin trading? if so is it worth it to start and how would it work? i heard cast members have to trade? is this true

Yes, CMs have to trade, but only if it is a certified Disney pin and if they already have that one, I believe they aren't required to trade (so they won't have doubles). Make sure you are buying real Disney pins (@Disney on the back).

Too funny. I have been so busy with work and my non-disney life that I haven't been online in a few days. I finally get on to the disboards go to my subscribed files and see that there haven't been posts to thread 3 in two days. And then find out there is a 4th thread and already 13 pages into it. How can I be so out of the loop

I am at 100 days Tomorrow is the double digit for me.

Is anyone ordering from Garden Grocer? I wonder if I should or just pack what I need.

I will post my ADR's below:

11-24: Garden Grill 6:35pm
11-25: 1900 Park Fare 6:10pm
11-26: Fantasmic Package H&V 3:35pm
11-27: Tusker House 11:15am
11-28: Crystal Palace 6:10pm
11-29: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall 11:00am

Mommyof3princess27, you are awesome for organizing all this. Thank you!!

PS - And I originally posted to the wrong thread. I need more coffee!!

We are doing a GG order. We are in a 2 bedroom villa at BLT, so we have a full kitchen, laundry room etc. in our villa. We don't plan to cook meals, but do want to do cereal and will order milk, juices, sandwich stuff etc. to keep in our fridge. I bring what dry foods I can myself as GG can get pricey. With cereal for instance, pack some in ziplock bags, granola bars etc.

 

[Broncobilly83]

does anyone do pin trading? if so is it worth it to start and how would it work? i heard cast members have to trade? is this true

I have done pin trading the last two trips and I will do some more this upcoming trip, though more buying to restock my traders on PinPics, LOL

Yes, CMs have to trade unless they have a green lanyard, which is meant only for children's trades. I once saw an adult complaining about that since the green lanyard had a very valuable pin on it, and they were not able to trade for it. You are allowed up to 2 traders per CM, and with only official Disney pins.

Yes, CMs have to trade, but only if it is a certified Disney pin and if they already have that one, I believe they aren't required to trade (so they won't have doubles). Make sure you are buying real Disney pins (@Disney on the back).

Scrappers have Disney on the back too. A Scrapper is a pin that either used the mold without permission, or was printed by Disney but failed quality control and was to be destroyed, but instead sold/taken and then being sold by third parties without permission.

I would highly, HIGHLY recommend not buying pin lots on EBay or Craigslist unless the seller has had a good track record of selling lots that are not scrappers. I believe there is a list here on DisBoards showing good vs bad sellers. Scrappers dilute the valid pins available to other traders, and hurt the hobby as a whole, and yes, if a pin is a blatant scrapper (noticeable wrong color, rough edges, etc), the cast member will not accept the trade

If you are looking for legit traders in the park, I believe there is a sales forum here on Dis that some people use, but there are also websites out there dedicated to nothing but the Disney Pin world, and in turn have a lot of people selling legit, fairly priced traders ($2-$3 per pin). True it is not $25 for say 30-40 pins, but you run less chance of scrappers. You can also wait to see if DisneyStore.com sells some discounted sets, which they have in the past. I stocked up on some blind 5 packs that were normally $25.95 per pack for like $10 per pack, so legit deals are out there.

OK, getting off my soapbox, LOL

 

[kerriemiller]

Is anyone ordering from Garden Grocer? I wonder if I should or just pack what I need.

!!

We are driving but Im considering ordering just to save space in the car and time. As it is we probably wont be at the hotel until 7pm on check in day I dont really want to have to stop at a store. Or bring a cooler to keep the stuff that we got at the store two days ago cold.

 

[princesshope1982]

working on posting a picture of the dresses I got the girls to wear for our date with Cinderella. We are going to the 1900 PF dinner and the castle, I think these are dresses that would be best worn to the castle. Hopefully I can get this picture upload to work.

i bought dd the cutest dress for 1900. since it is our first night there. i will try to post a pic later

 

[exwdwcm]

We are driving but Im considering ordering just to save space in the car and time. As it is we probably wont be at the hotel until 7pm on check in day I dont really want to have to stop at a store. Or bring a cooler to keep the stuff that we got at the store two days ago cold.

We will have a rental car and so we could easily get to a store, but i prefer to not waste that time! lol! GG is so convenient. Plus i don't want to lug all that crap up to the room (lots of bottled water)

I have done pin trading the last two trips and I will do some more this upcoming trip, though more buying to restock my traders on PinPics, LOL

OK, getting off my soapbox, LOL

GREAT info!!! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jen0504]

Signing up.....again.

 

[KSBelle77]

First seating for BOG is novemever 19th!!

 

[kerriemiller]

i bought dd the cutest dress for 1900. since it is our first night there. i will try to post a pic later

Love to see them. I got these at target with little snow lepard print sweaters to go with them so they can wear them at home.

We will have a rental car and so we could easily get to a store, but i prefer to not waste that time! lol! GG is so convenient. Plus i don't want to lug all that crap up to the room (lots of bottled water)
GREAT info!!! Thanks for sharing.

Time is the key factor, space being second and lugging thats hubbys job. He just told me he was going to buy a calapsable hand cart so that he can carry all our stuff. I dont know what this guys problem is with using bell services. He really isnt cheap and he is a good tipper. It was a huge fight on our last trip literally. So I just give him this one. Its not like he's inlisting me and the kids to haul the load also. But if hes bringing a hand cart I may have to rent a stroller just to save space in the car

 

[pkirkbri]

I just found this thread for November.

We are taking our DD12 and DS10 for their second visit. Last trip was when the kids were 4 and 6. We'll be staying at the Polynesian from 11/14 - 11/18. Would love to stay more, but just can't swing the time off

We're 90 days from leaving and plan on waking the kids up in the AM for school and telling them we are going to Disney. We're thinking of renting a limo to take us down to the airport about 30 miles away.

The kids are picky eaters, so I've stayed with American Fare. We took the free dining plan, so I've scheduled the following:

11/14 6:20 PM - Supper @ Kona Café at Polynesian w/ fireworks from the beach

11/15 8:25 AM - Breakfast @ 'Ohana
11/15 2:15 PM - Late Lunch at Rainforst Café in The Animal Kingdom
11/15 7:00 PM - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

11/16 7:05 PM - Supper @ Biergarten Restaurant in Germany

11/17 3:35 PM - Late Lunch at Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios w/Fantasmic!

Love reading all the info posted her.

Thanks!!! Pam

 

[ireneryan]

Thanks so much for the info....couple other questions...do they have multiple seating or just one time slot per night...for instance that night..Nov. 6th....no main street parade just wishes at 8pm....so what time would I pick for ressie or would it default to just one time...lastly when do I need to be in line and what time do they start to seat....

I have to tell you that I have never been to the dessert party I just get my info from what I read here and other research, but from what I gather the different time options are just their way of spreading everyone out but you just get what's available. There is some speculation that the earlier the seating the better the assigned table but it's just speculation... I would shoot for the earlier time in case it is true. If anyone else has more info please add it, I don't want to give inaccurate advice...

 

[mamamini]

Has anyone tried ordering from Walmart? I've read on another thread that people were ordering flats of water for $3.50 and a very small delivering fee? Might be cheaper than GG, I'm not sure but I think I'll be ordering at least water this trip! Probably breakfast things also since 50lbs. Max in suitcases comes up quickly. 104 more days!!! Haha, just Reread my post and had to clarify...I'm not packing water! Just cereal and granola bars!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I have also heard of ordering water from staples

 

[kerriemiller]

suffering from a little bit of sticker shock. Just looked up our last year bill and we got a 35% off room rate. We only stayed 5 nights last year this year we are staying 8 but wow!!! At least we are getting free dining. For sure next year we will be taking the room discount and going back to end of Sept dates.

 

[kerriemiller]

I just found this thread for November.

We are taking our DD12 and DS10 for their second visit. Last trip was when the kids were 4 and 6. We'll be staying at the Polynesian from 11/14 - 11/18. Would love to stay more, but just can't swing the time off

We're 90 days from leaving and plan on waking the kids up in the AM for school and telling them we are going to Disney. We're thinking of renting a limo to take us down to the airport about 30 miles away.

The kids are picky eaters, so I've stayed with American Fare. We took the free dining plan, so I've scheduled the following:

11/14 6:20 PM - Supper @ Kona Café at Polynesian w/ fireworks from the beach

11/15 8:25 AM - Breakfast @ 'Ohana
11/15 2:15 PM - Late Lunch at Rainforst Café in The Animal Kingdom
11/15 7:00 PM - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

11/16 7:05 PM - Supper @ Biergarten Restaurant in Germany

11/17 3:35 PM - Late Lunch at Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios w/Fantasmic!

Love reading all the info posted her.

Thanks!!! Pam

WELCOME to the thread and the DIS home of some the most obsessive compulsive people you will ever meet

 

[mommyof3princess27]

suffering from a little bit of sticker shock. Just looked up our last year bill and we got a 35% off room rate. We only stayed 5 nights last year this year we are staying 8 but wow!!! At least we are getting free dining. For sure next year we will be taking the room discount and going back to end of Sept dates.

our trip in Oct 2010 staying at the Poly for 5 nights WITH club level for 5 ppl, dd2 was free....$3200. with the dining plan. This trip, 4 ppl (dd12 is with my parents) 7 nights, POR its $3569-dxdp...miss the Poly though!

 

[princesshope1982]

i feel like we got a great deal on our trip even without getting the free dining.

8 days 7 nights AOA lm with 7days of tickets w hopper and more plus deluxe dining for a lil over $3000.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

i feel like we got a great deal on our trip even without getting the free dining.

8 days 7 nights AOA lm with 7days of tickets w hopper and more plus deluxe dining for a lil over $3000.

that is a good deal! I didnt get hoppers :/ but with dxdp our schedule is so packed there is no time to hope. There is only one day I wanna hop though but its not really worth it