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

[KatWI]

We booked on 2/13/12. Our dates were flexible; we just wanted to go when it wasn’t too hot and the crowds were more manageable. Still so bummed our travel agent never mentioned the free dining – I didn’t even know it existed till I found these boards. Our dates just happen to fall right in between! Free dining the week before and the week after! I don’t even want to think about how much money it would have saved with six of us! I’m trying to get over it…mostly mad at myself for relying on the belief that a Disney Specialist Travel Agent would find us the best deal – instead of researching a better deal for myself!

So EXCITED…only 46 more days left!!!

Not sure how much money we’re taking for souvenirs. My sister’s kids will have their own. My daughter is saving up and bringing her own - but we may give her something too. We have a tight budget so it will also depend on what we spend on food each day. The one thing I know that I really want - is a pearl at Epcot! I might buy the setting for that ahead of time, to save money. I “picked a pearl” on our honeymoon in Hawaii and it was so much fun. I brought it home and my husband had it put in a setting (necklace with sapphire) for a surprise Christmas gift. Then on our next anniversary he bought earrings and a ring to match. It was so sweet!

 

[jrlongino]

Quick question - I can't seem to get a straight answer on this one. We are going to HS on Saturday November 10 and we only have one day in HS. We really want to see both Fantasmic and Osbourne lights. It looks like the Lighting ceremony starts at dusk (sunset about 5:35 that day) and fantasmic starts at 6:30. We have two small kids - can we see the lighting and still make it to Fantasmic and then come back after the show to the lights? We don't have a Fantasmic package. We really want to see both!

 

[Eeyores#1Fan]

17, 5 & 2, though obviously the 2yr old isn't a problem... Yet!

Tazer, ehhhh? I think DH has one!! It would definitely only take one time. lol

If yall hear a news story in the future about kids in Louisiana being tazed, just know i didn't do it!

I have a 16, 11 and 5 yr old so you KNOW I feel your pain. Good thing is they know we are going.

 

[jrlongino]

We booked on 2/13/12. Our dates were flexible; we just wanted to go when it wasn’t too hot and the crowds were more manageable. Still so bummed our travel agent never mentioned the free dining – I didn’t even know it existed till I found these boards. Our dates just happen to fall right in between! Free dining the week before and the week after! I don’t even want to think about how much money it would have saved with six of us! I’m trying to get over it…mostly mad at myself for relying on the belief that a Disney Specialist Travel Agent would find us the best deal – instead of researching a better deal for myself!

So EXCITED…only 46 more days left!!!

Not sure how much money we’re taking for souvenirs. My sister’s kids will have their own. My daughter is saving up and bringing her own - but we may give her something too. We have a tight budget so it will also depend on what we spend on food each day. The one thing I know that I really want - is a pearl at Epcot! I might buy the setting for that ahead of time, to save money. I “picked a pearl” on our honeymoon in Hawaii and it was so much fun. I brought it home and my husband had it put in a setting (necklace with sapphire) for a surprise Christmas gift. Then on our next anniversary he bought earrings and a ring to match. It was so sweet!

You can't chafe your reservation? I do it at least once a trip, but I guess flights are booked right?

 

[MomofKatie]

Quick question - I can't seem to get a straight answer on this one. We are going to HS on Saturday November 10 and we only have one day in HS. We really want to see both Fantasmic and Osbourne lights. It looks like the Lighting ceremony starts at dusk (sunset about 5:35 that day) and fantasmic starts at 6:30. We have two small kids - can we see the lighting and still make it to Fantasmic and then come back after the show to the lights? We don't have a Fantasmic package. We really want to see both!

The O Lights usually start at 6, even if dusk is earlier. The Saturday you will be there is going to be pretty busy- you most likely won't be able to get to F! in time to get seats if you are at the opening of the O Lights.

Disney has been known to add a second F! to busier nights. They usually change the calendar mid-month the month before. I am willing to bet they are going to add another, later F! that night. If so, you definitely have time to experience O Lights before. If the 6:30 show is the only one (or you don't want to wait for the later show), then I would not try to see the start of O Lights- just wait to see them until after F! is over. The "opening ceremony" is fun, but not a big deal at all. You aren't missing anything amazing by not seeing them right when they start in the evening, IMO.

 

[disneychic2]

Morning yall!

I was talking with a friend last night and she said last year when they went to WDW they were offered the dining plan at the gate when they bought thier tickets.... is this right?
We are not staying on property and we get the military tickets.... it would be awesome to get the dining plan but I just don't think it works like this.

I've never heard of the dining plan being offered to anyone other than those staying on site. Don't know what was up with your friend.

Since you changed your avatar, I hardly recognize you!! But I like the new one!

Here's a random question. Is there a penalty for removing guests from your resort reservation & dining plan?

Like say if I wanted to leave 2 of my ungrateful & disrespectful children at home instead of treating them to missing school for 3 days & going to Disney; is there a penalty for removing them?

Not that I would really do it because as mean as they think I am, i just couldn't do it, but I'm at my wits end with these girls and their mouths.

I think we've all been there! We start off in their lives and they think we know everything. Then, they think we know nothing. But, eventually, you get to such a great place where they realize how great they had it all along. Hang in there!

One thing that I've thought about recently is the fact that we haven't told our girls that they are going and therefore can't use it as incentive to behave. More than once I've been tempted to say "If you don't act right you're not going to Disney World." Then of course the little voice inside my head says "Don't say that you fool! You'll spoil the surprise!"

How old are they? Mine are 7 and about to be 4, so the mouths are in full effect here too.

Best advice for ungrateful and disrespectful children is a tazer*. Usually only takes once to get the message across.

*Check with state and local law enforcement for legality in your state unless you live in Texas.

(especially about the living in Texas part!!)

Quick question - I can't seem to get a straight answer on this one. We are going to HS on Saturday November 10 and we only have one day in HS. We really want to see both Fantasmic and Osbourne lights. It looks like the Lighting ceremony starts at dusk (sunset about 5:35 that day) and fantasmic starts at 6:30. We have two small kids - can we see the lighting and still make it to Fantasmic and then come back after the show to the lights? We don't have a Fantasmic package. We really want to see both!

The beginning "lighting ceremony" is fun, but missing it won't be a big deal. I would go to Fantasmic and wait until closing of the park to see the lights and I'll tell you why. When F! lets out, people make a beeline for the buses or the lights. It is super crowded in both places. But if you can shop or stroll around or ride something for a bit, the crowds will thin out considerably. They keep the lights going for at least 30 minutes after the park closes and that's a perfect time to view them. Then you can get your bus back to your resort without the really long lines to contend with.

You can't chafe your reservation? I do it at least once a trip, but I guess flights are booked right?

That's what I wondered. I changed mine, but we are flying Southwest, so no fees to change. FD would save so much for a family of 6!

 

[vleeth]

17, 5 & 2, though obviously the 2yr old isn't a problem... Yet!

Tazer, ehhhh? I think DH has one!! It would definitely only take one time. lol

If yall hear a news story in the future about kids in Louisiana being tazed, just know i didn't do it!

Not looking forward to those teenage years. I don't have that problem with my 7 year old and I'm not looking forward to the day when I do.

 

[KatWI]

I think we've all been there! We start off in their lives and they think we know everything. Then, they think we know nothing. But, eventually, you get to such a great place where they realize how great they had it all along. Hang in there!

GREAT advice! I haven't had problems with my DD17...yet...but the stories I could tell about my DS22 would give you nightmares! Hope we get to that "great place" soon. It's gotten better but we're not quite there yet...

The beginning "lighting ceremony" is fun, but missing it won't be a big deal. I would go to Fantasmic and wait until closing of the park to see the lights and I'll tell you why. When F! lets out, people make a beeline for the buses or the lights. It is super crowded in both places. But if you can shop or stroll around or ride something for a bit, the crowds will thin out considerably. They keep the lights going for at least 30 minutes after the park closes and that's a perfect time to view them. Then you can get your bus back to your resort without the really long lines to contend with.

THANKS! This will be our plan too!

That's what I wondered. I changed mine, but we are flying Southwest, so no fees to change. FD would save so much for a family of 6!

FD would really help SO much. Maybe I should email my TA today - but I'm not sure how to word it. I just can't understand why she didn't mention this way back in Feb (or anytime since)! I don't think there is a fee to change our flights, but I wonder if we'll be able to get reservations for AOA and we really want to stay there. I would hate to push to trip out too far as November really works for us and the kids are so excited (ok...I am too). Saving that much money would be worth it though. Any advice?

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Im sorry for not posting much BUT I feel lost on this thread now


UPDATE: we decided to drop WCC after the new menu change! Thats ok though we now have lunch in AK and time to go back and change for MVMCP at our resort!

 

[PixiePrincesses]

FD would really help SO much. Maybe I should email my TA today - but I'm not sure how to word it. I just can't understand why she didn't mention this way back in Feb (or anytime since)! I don't think there is a fee to change our flights, but I wonder if we'll be able to get reservations for AOA and we really want to stay there. I would hate to push to trip out too far as November really works for us and the kids are so excited (ok...I am too). Saving that much money would be worth it though. Any advice?

Go to the disney site and price out your trip, using the FD offer to see if you can get everything you want with FD. Yesterday there were still AoA suites available for FD, but not LM rooms.

Then, email your TA and tell them you did some research on a special offer and you think it will save you x dollars, can they check into it for you.

 

[PixiePrincesses]

I think we've all been there! We start off in their lives and they think we know everything. Then, they think we know nothing. But, eventually, you get to such a great place where they realize how great they had it all along. Hang in there!

Oh how i long for that place to get here. Now!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

FD would really help SO much. Maybe I should email my TA today - but I'm not sure how to word it. I just can't understand why she didn't mention this way back in Feb (or anytime since)! I don't think there is a fee to change our flights, but I wonder if we'll be able to get reservations for AOA and we really want to stay there. I would hate to push to trip out too far as November really works for us and the kids are so excited (ok...I am too). Saving that much money would be worth it though. Any advice?

I would get on it! At this point if its not available for A0A stay somewhere where you can get it. $$ is $$ right? I know FDing saved us about $1000!

 

[Tangledtink]

49 days left to go!!!! I seriously need this vacation!

 

[jrlongino]

The O Lights usually start at 6, even if dusk is earlier. The Saturday you will be there is going to be pretty busy- you most likely won't be able to get to F! in time to get seats if you are at the opening of the O Lights.

Disney has been known to add a second F! to busier nights. They usually change the calendar mid-month the month before. I am willing to bet they are going to add another, later F! that night. If so, you definitely have time to experience O Lights before. If the 6:30 show is the only one (or you don't want to wait for the later show), then I would not try to see the start of O Lights- just wait to see them until after F! is over. The "opening ceremony" is fun, but not a big deal at all. You aren't missing anything amazing by not seeing them right when they start in the evening, IMO.

Thanks Momofkatie...touring plans.com has that day a 4.2 for HS (9+ in EP and MK) does that level usually constitute "sellouts" of F!? Will there be time after 6:30 F! To walk through the Osbourne lights before 8pm close?

 

[Tulles]

Im sorry for not posting much BUT I feel lost on this thread now

UPDATE: we decided to drop WCC after the new menu change! Thats ok though we now have lunch in AK and time to go back and change for MVMCP at our resort!

Is it that different? We're doing it our last night but now I'm debating. We've never been before.

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Did any of you go the week after Thanksgiving last year...2011...with free dining and did they offer a bounceback free dining while you were there for this November?? I'm really hoping they offer you all a BB this Nov. for Nov. 2013...then I assume I can expect it will be released?! nov. 2013 is sooo far away...but fun to live your trips this year!

 

[MomofKatie]

Thanks Momofkatie...touring plans.com has that day a 4.2 for HS (9+ in EP and MK) does that level usually constitute "sellouts" of F!? Will there be time after 6:30 F! To walk through the Osbourne lights before 8pm close?

The overall crowd rating for that day is a 9. No matter which park you go to, that is pretty crowded. I wouldn't risk the Fantasmic ampitheater filling up just to see the "lights on" moment at O Lights. It might not fill up, but more likely, it will. Just getting from Streets of America to the F! seating area will take a while- you might miss the beginning of the show even if there is room in the ampitheater.

Yes, the O Lights usually stay on at least 30 mins to an hour past park close time- enough time to experience them after seeing F! and taking your time to get to the Streets of America.

 

[jrlongino]

The overall crowd rating for that day is a 9. No matter which park you go to, that is pretty crowded. I wouldn't risk the Fantasmic ampitheater filling up just to see the "lights on" moment at O Lights. It might not fill up, but more likely, it will. Just getting from Streets of America to the F! seating area will take a while- you might miss the beginning of the show even if there is room in the ampitheater.

Yes, the O Lights usually stay on at least 30 mins to an hour past park close time- enough time to experience them after seeing F! and taking your time to get to the Streets of America.

Good advice. Thanks!

 

[squirrel4569]

The overall crowd rating for that day is a 9. No matter which park you go to, that is pretty crowded. I wouldn't risk the Fantasmic ampitheater filling up just to see the "lights on" moment at O Lights. It might not fill up, but more likely, it will. Just getting from Streets of America to the F! seating area will take a while- you might miss the beginning of the show even if there is room in the ampitheater.

Yes, the O Lights usually stay on at least 30 mins to an hour past park close time- enough time to experience them after seeing F! and taking your time to get to the Streets of America.

Our plan, based on what I read here a while back, is to got to F! and then head to see the lights immediately afterwards. Our F! package is early, so we may even skip lunch that day.

 

[KatWI]

Im sorry for not posting much BUT I feel lost on this thread now

Don’t feel lost…we need you!

I would get on it! At this point if its not available for A0A stay somewhere where you can get it. $$ is $$ right? I know FDing saved us about $1000!

Go to the disney site and price out your trip, using the FD offer to see if you can get everything you want with FD. Yesterday there were still AoA suites available for FD, but not LM rooms.

Then, email your TA and tell them you did some research on a special offer and you think it will save you x dollars, can they check into it for you.

THANKS for the advice! I really appreciate it!
Just talked to my husband about changing our dates. He’s against it because we already scheduled our vacations at both our jobs and it’s the perfect time to go. If we go a week earlier we’ll run into Halloween (too crowded?) and we can’t go later in Nov because he can’t get off of work (others are off for hunting season-BIG deal in our area). We’d have to look into earlier in Oct. I also found out it would cost $300 to change our flights.

I still emailed TA to check into it, to see what we would save.

Got GREAT news today though. The airline we are flying with is offering a promotion where you get a FREE flight with each flight (on specific dates). I called to confirm we are eligible (since we booked before this promotion was announced) and we are! Since I’m taking my sister’s kids on this trip, we’ll get SIX flights for FREE! The destinations are limited to Orlando or Ft. Meyers, but that’s AMAZING! We could go back to Disney! Also my aunt has a condo in Ft. Meyers where we could stay at for free. This is such AWESOME news (as we are on a tight budget). I’m so excited and happy! WOO HOO!