NOVEMBER 2012 Trip Planners Part 2~yes there IS another!

[weedles]

I'd be shocked if they didn't. They went up last June and I woudln't expect them to wait longer than 12 months to adjust again. And tickets can be added to your package. I'll probably book a package at full price in the next week or so anticipating a discount down the road so I can lock in the lower ticket prices.

Thanks for your input time for another call to the mouse - just another opportunity to pin check

Just remember a room only reservation has a one night deposit and the rest is due at check-in, while a package is due 45 days prior to arrival.

Thank you yup my due date is 9/18

 

[Broncobilly83]

I'd be shocked if they didn't. They went up last June and I woudln't expect them to wait longer than 12 months to adjust again. And tickets can be added to your package. I'll probably book a package at full price in the next week or so anticipating a discount down the road so I can lock in the lower ticket prices.

See, something in the reservation documents states:

All prices are in U.S. dollars and are subject to change until package is paid in full. After package is paid in full, package price is subject to change due to imposition of taxes or other charges of governmental authorities. If air transportation is included in the package, the airfare is not guaranteed until paid in full and the tickets are issued.

If Disney wanted to, if you booked a package, and then the rates increased, until your package is paid in full, you could be subject to the increase as well, even though you booked long before any increase was announced/in the pipeline.

 

[mom2rtk]

See, something in the reservation documents states:



If Disney wanted to, if you booked a package, and then the rates increased, until your package is paid in full, you could be subject to the increase as well, even though you booked long before any increase was announced/in the pipeline.

I understand that. But I *think* our experience was different last year. We even changed months of travel but they told me the old ticket prices stayed with us. And I'm going to have to book soon anyway to make my ADR's at 180+10. So there's no down side really for me. I'd rather book before the price increase and hope for the best.

 

[kaileighbug]

So today I got an email with a Pin Code for 20% off (value) my room for select dates in Nov. It would cover Nov 24-Nov 30. So I called to have it applied to my reservation. At this moment in time they could not apply the code because it is not valid for AoA. The CM did inform me the pin code was good until Dec? The email stated I had to book by 6/15/12. She did say I could call back to see if they could apply it at a later date.

The pin code was sent after I ordered the custom maps.

However it was not a completely wasted call....I was able to set up our magical express portion with our flight info.

 

[Happy Mom2]

Good Morning all!!

Read on the theme parks thread that mousesavers reports ticket prices may be increasing soon ( I know a rumor of a rumor lmao)

I currently have us booked as a basic package. Which is basically just my room ressie. Figured that was best/easiest while I wait for discounts for our time to roll out then could add on the (pleaseeee ) free dining without having to cancel/rebook.

Im thinking I should add on our tickets now to avoid the price increase (thought I was safe til August for that but guess maybe not this year )

Anyway wondering if I have to pay for the tickets in full when I add them or does the cost just get added to the package with my balance due date??

I actually just did this last week. My reason was the exact same as yours. I didn't want ticket or dining prices to go up before I had everything booked. They had to cancel my room only ressies, refund my deposit, book a whole new package with room, ressies and dining, and place a new deposit down. It took about 45 minutes (had to book for DMIL also), plus I was on hold for 45 minutes before I even was able to talk to someone, so 90 minutes total.

 

[Happy Mom2]

I have less then 3 weeks til ADR's! FINALLY!

And I remember when we were happy to finally reach 1 year on our tickers!!!

 

[weedles]

I actually just did this last week. My reason was the exact same as yours. I didn't want ticket or dining prices to go up before I had everything booked. They had to cancel my room only ressies, refund my deposit, book a whole new package with room, ressies and dining, and place a new deposit down. It took about 45 minutes (had to book for DMIL also), plus I was on hold for 45 minutes before I even was able to talk to someone, so 90 minutes total.

90 MINUTES Thats insane!!! That was exactly my reasoning in originally booking my room ressie as a basic package to save the trouble later on when I make changes.

 

[TracyM89]

Does anyone know if they accept the dining plan for dinner? I'm trying to figure out another meal and thought of this but not really sure. We will have 5 days of dining at Disney. Here is my list of where we want to go in the order of importance:

1. Ohana's
2. Rainforest Cafe - AK
3. 50's Primetime Diner - DHS
4. Via Napoli - Epcot
5.?

We are wanting to do 50's Primetime for Thanksgiving at lunch, but we are planning on being in DHS on Thanksgiving.

What are you opinions?

 

[Broncobilly83]

Does anyone know if they accept the dining plan for dinner? I'm trying to figure out another meal and thought of this but not really sure. We will have 5 days of dining at Disney. Here is my list of where we want to go in the order of importance:

When you say Wilderness Lodge, do you mean Artist Point or Whispering Canyon Cafe. The answer is YES to both, but Artist Point is a Signature location, so that would be 2 credits per person instead of one

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Does anyone know if they accept the dining plan for dinner? I'm trying to figure out another meal and thought of this but not really sure. We will have 5 days of dining at Disney. Here is my list of where we want to go in the order of importance:

1. Ohana's
2. Rainforest Cafe - AK
3. 50's Primetime Diner - DHS
4. Via Napoli - Epcot
5.?

We are wanting to do 50's Primetime for Thanksgiving at lunch, but we are planning on being in DHS on Thanksgiving.

What are you opinions?

Looks good! I would do WCC

 

[exwdwcm]

Here is a question for all of you who are planning on attending one of the parties (MVMCP).....what do you do during the day....tour a park as usual? rest? and what about dinner....counter service in the park or table service before? Our tentative plan right now is breakfast at 1900 Park Fare, a little park hopping to hit up some favorites, back to the resort to relax and change, then an early dinner at Kona Cafe before heading over to the MK around 5 or 5:30. We've never been to a MVMCP before and would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this. Thanks!

We typically either do a park early at RD for a few hours or we make it a break day........meaning we don't do a park. We will sleep in, maybe do a resort character breakfast, visit DTD or the Boardwalk and swim. That is the plan this year, hit DTD at 9:30, eat lunch at Earle at 11, shop. Then head to Boardwalk and eat the kitchen sink at Beaches and Cream. I've had a hard time getting in there since they don't take ressies, and having it on our break day means we can hang out and wait if there is a long wait there. We will all rest a little and ensure our little guy takes a nap. Hoping to get ressies for Be Our Guest, if open at 5pm that day of the party. We try and stay at the party as late as we can, so we like to be well rested and not spend all day at a park before the party.

Hey! We just booked At the moment, my mother and I are heading down to WDW Nov 10-Nov 18 (though we're considering an extra day). We're staying at the GF because we got a pin code for a room discount

We stayed about the same time of year in 2010 and liked that we get one day at F&W (yes, we know that weekends are crowded but it can't be helped) and get the Christmas party and decorations. Is everyone pretty positive that the Osbourne Lights will be up by Nov 10th? That's rather integral to our plan right now

I believe they are scheduled for 9th to turn on. So we are there (BLT/DVC) from 11/8-11/17. We did F&W last year, but in October. We know this is the last weekend of it and nervous about the crowds. Our plan is to hit F&W on that Friday and Sunday at opening- 10:30am/10:45 when booths open and only spend a few hours there. just how bad was it that very last day? I am hoping doing it right at opening will help us get slightly ahead of some of the crowds. We plan to avoid Epcot at night that weekend.

Two evening Extra Magic Hours back to back in Magic Kingdom? That is odd, isn't it? But it is confirmed on the WDW site, I have rarely seen that in my years of going to WDW?

On Nov 10, a Saturday, & Nov 11, a Sunday, both have EVENING EMH? Is that normal? I guess because I usually go in Early December & not Early November, I rarely see this due to the many MVMCP parties.

It Is NOT normal. In fact, it is pretty rare, but that is what it is. We are planning to attempt to do that Sunday night for a few hours late. I know it will be packed all weekend, but especially on Saturday. It is also odd for them to have a party on a Monday and not a Tuesday.

I can make ADR's on Monday morning! This is a surprise trip; my parents will be down there for the week, and when they get there... I'll already be there!

My dad knows but not my mom, but she is making all of their ADR's. If she makes them for 2, without knowing I will be there, can I easily be added as a 3rd for some of them, when we show up to check in?

Nope, it is very hard to go back and adjust the number on an ADR. It is possible, you usually have to call, but availability can be an issue. We've tried to do this before when someone dropped out of a trip or was added on. Changing a table of 2 to a party of 3 (which requires a 4 top table) is a big deal and there might not be availability for the time/date you wanted. So you should go ahead and book everything for 3. Maybe have your dad tell your mom he is taking care of booking it or a TA is and then you do it yourself?

Okay...I think I have my dining ready...my ADR Date is the 11th...I only have one day that I cannot decide where to go...

7th - Arrival Day...Check in at OKW, explore the resort, dinner @ Olivia's

8th - BBB at MK in the morning (fingers crossed, I get that), dinner at CRT

9th - DHS with dinner @ The Flying Fish. Love this restaurant! Hopefully Osborne Lights will be going on.

10th - AK and then head to DTD for dinner @ Bongo's and possible visit to Disney Quest.

11th - EP with dinner @ San Angel

12th - My college age DD flies home this day. Maybe a possible breakfast??? Olivia's or maybe Ohana's?? The rest of us will head to DHS for the day. THIS is where I do not have a restaurant picked for dinner. We had done most of the restaurants in the park before...maybe Cape May??? Big River Grille??? Thoughts???

13th - EP with dinner @ Rose & Crown.

14th - MK with dinner @ Chef Mickey's. This is our tradition to close out the vacation.

15th - Departure Day. Depending on flight times (have not booked that as of yet) If we had not gone to Ohana's on the 12th...I think I would love to go to Ohana's Breakfast with Lilo/Stitch.


I'm hoping that Osborne Lights will be up and running on the 9th (Josh says so..??) If not, I may have to switch some days around so that older DD can see them. She didn't go with us last trip and missed out on the lights...so really want that for her.

looks like a great plan. only concern is Epcot on the 11th- it's the last day of Food and Wine. If you plan to participate in food and wine- great, obviously will be crowded. but if you aren't planning to do F&W, i would avoid Epcot like the plague that day, but more importantly that night. We are there the same time!

Thank you all so much for you thoughts and kind words. After a lot of thought, I decided to cancel the trip. While not the happiest decision, it was the right one for us. I am so very thankful that I haven't told the kids. I called DMIL, who is coming with us, to let her know we were going to cancel the trip. She begged me not to cancel and offered to pay for the entire trip. She said she didn't want to miss out on the trip, and if the only reason we were cancelling was because of money, she would take care of it. She's WAY beyond retirement age, but continues to work because she loves it, and said she has nothing better to spend her money on than her grandchildren. (Our 2 are her only 2.) She's such an incredible MIL, and I love her dearly. I'm just not sure I want to let her pay for the whole trip, but she made me promise not to cancel the trip right now. So as of now, I'm not cancelling the trip; however, I am going to see about changing to a value resort, switching from deluxe to regular dining plan or maybe even pay OOP for meals with breakfast in our rooms, and I'll definitely be watching for free dining!! I'm going to go ahead and make all of my planned ADRs next week, so that I'll have them, and I can cancel any I don't need later.

Thanks again to everyone for being so supportive.

Of course, I hadn't even told DH I was thinking about cancelling so I had to catch him up on everything. He just says, "Whatever you want, honey." I him!

So glad you didn't cancel. While i am all for fiscal responsibility, i also feel some memories and time with your family are priceless. The kids are only a certain age once. Heck, Disney is brilliant with the latest marketing campaign- let the memories begin.....and how they are only young once. When you think about how many family vacations you have together, it really isn't a lot. That time is precious to me. I hope it all works out for you!!!

Okay just joined up and I already have a question for you all! I've been sitting here on and off all day trying to figure out a schedule. Before I always had TGM but this time I thought I'd be able to figure it out myself! I thought I did too, but I've checked the WDWEasy site and nope, I've got it all wrong ! I checked park hours first and thought of EMH hours and when to do them and when to avoid those parks but, yeah.

So my question to you is how did you choose to visit which parks when? Also if anyone uses easyWDW I can't find any explanations for why he chooses the parks he does. Am I just blind?! TGM would always tell you the logic behind it.

Thank you in advance for any advice !!

I sort of use a mix of them- i like easyWDW but i also have a TP subscription. I sort of look at both and use my own knowledge and planning as well. Here's how I tackled it:

• decide how many days we have total
• plan out how many mornings and evenings i want to spend in each park- this time- 2 mornings and 2 evenings each at MK and Epcot. 1 am and 1pm at DHS, a 3/4 day at AK (8am-3pm) and a 1/2 day at DTD.
• Then i look at best day for MVMCP- weekday, prefer to do it mid trip
• look at any other special events- like i know we want to hit epcot on 11/9 and 11/11 in the morning for F&W (knowing it will be crowded)
• I also look at special events I want to avoid- like not going to DTD due to festival of the masters, avoiding Epcot on the night of the wine and dine marathon etc.
• then i look at morning EMHs, since we like taking advantage of those
• I look at evening EMHs to see if we want to do any of those, we typically avoid, but sometimes might do one at MK
• then i play around- we use hoppers and do one park int he am and a different one in the pm.

that method has worked great for me so far. After i do that, then i place my meals in based on which park i am in. i typically have a list of the meals i want to do already. We like to do breakfast either before park opening (8am) or late at 10;30, we get more character interaction that way and still get those prime early hours of park touring time with no crowds!

i was reading about the pirates and pal fireworks cruise, but I didn't see anything about if there is a minimum age?
My DD will be 3.5 when we go ( although she is 2 now and almost the size of a 4 year old so i could pass her off for older if needed..lol)

My son did it last October, he had just turned 4. I saw people with younger kids in lap. It was a blast by the way- highly recommend it!

OK, with the big ADR day less than 48 hours away, I am wondering if I am too "heavy" on lunch ADRs and should change a couple to dinner ADRs

Weds. Nov 7th - Arrive to hotel around noon
DHS
ADR - Artist Point @ Wilderness for dinner

Thurs. Nov 8th
Epcot, with a possible visit to DTD
ADR - Le Celliar for Lunch
ADR - Still thinking about dinner if needed

Fri. Nov 9th
Morning - AK
Evening - MK for MVMCP
ADR - Yak & Yeti (AK) for Lunch

Sat. Nov 10th
MK
ADR - Crystal Palace for an early dinner

Sun. Nov 11th
DHS
ADR - Mama Melrose for Fantasmic Lunch Package

Mon. Nov 12th
Morning - Epcot
Evening - MK for MVMCP
ADR - Coral Reef (Epcot) for Lunch

Tues. Nov 13th - Flight leaves at 4:30 PM from MCO
No park planned
ADR - Chef Mickey @ the Contemporary for character breakfast

looks great!!!

Does anyone know if they accept the dining plan for dinner? I'm trying to figure out another meal and thought of this but not really sure. We will have 5 days of dining at Disney. Here is my list of where we want to go in the order of importance:

1. Ohana's
2. Rainforest Cafe - AK
3. 50's Primetime Diner - DHS
4. Via Napoli - Epcot
5.?

We are wanting to do 50's Primetime for Thanksgiving at lunch, but we are planning on being in DHS on Thanksgiving.

What are you opinions?

yes, they accept the dining plan for breakfast, lunch or dinner, whatever you prefer. Just know some restaurants require 2 credits. The ones you have listed above are just one credit for lunch or dinner. Do you have kiddos going- any character meals you want to do?

 

[exwdwcm]

So finally worked out my plan this am. We make our ADRs this weekend! Any advice/feedback/comments??? We take a midday break each day from about 2-4pm, have park hoppers and usually eat breakfast in room if we don't have an ADR.

Thursday 11/8
Arrive late afternoon or evening (hoping to talk DH into coming in earlier)
Check into AoA or POP (waiting to book one night using my TA discount later)
Eat dinner at food court, swim, unpack, rest, possibly DTD

Friday 11/9
Epcot AM
Lunch- Food & Wine booths
DHS in PM
Dinner- Sci Fi 7pm (this is first night Osborne lights are on, we will avoid them)

Saturday 11/10
Breakfast- Crystal Palace at 8am
MK AM- Family Magic Tour 10am
Lunch- QS at MK or CR
Dinner- Jiko at AKL
possibly hit MK after if we feel up to it (open til 1am for EMH)
OR Catch WISHES from TOW Lounge (we are at BLT)

Sunday 11/11
Epcot AM
Lunch- Food & Wine Booths
Dinner- Ohana at 5:30pm
MK PM (til 11pm for EMH)

Monday 11/12
sleep in
DTD AM- shopping
Lunch- Earle at 11am
Boardwalk/Beach Club- Beaches and Cream dessert
Nap/Swim
Dinner- Be Our Guest- 5pm (will probably do QS if not open or maybe LTT)
MK PM for MVMCP

Tuesday 11/13
sleep in
Blizzard Beach in AM (or MK or Epcot if too cold)
Lunch- QS at hotel or park
Epcot PM- Illuminations 9pm
Dinner- Garden Grill 7:30pm

Wednesday 11/14
AK AM for EMH
Lunch- QS- Flame Tree
MK PM- Wishes Dessert Party (8pm WISHES)

Thursday 11/15
MK AM for EMH
Lunch- QS - Cosmic Ray's or new Be Our Guest if open
DHS PM- Osborne Lights at closing (8pm)
Dinner- QS at DHS or hotel

Friday 11/16
Breakfast- Hollywood and Vine (my old workplace!) at 8am
DHS AM
Lunch- QS at hotel or DHS
Epcot PM
Dinner- Via Napoli 8pm

Saturday 11/17
RAC for check out (or if they open early at 8am, we might hit MK before)
Breakfast- Ohana at 10:30
MK AM
Flight home PM - haven't booked, but looking at something at 6pm or later

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I have been reading reviews of CRT-debating whether or not to take it off or not

 

[mommyof3princess27]

So finally worked out my plan this am. We make our ADRs this weekend! Any advice/feedback/comments??? We take a midday break each day from about 2-4pm, have park hoppers and usually eat breakfast in room if we don't have an ADR.

Thursday 11/8
Arrive late afternoon or evening (hoping to talk DH into coming in earlier)
Check into AoA or POP (waiting to book one night using my TA discount later)
Eat dinner at food court, swim, unpack, rest, possibly DTD

Friday 11/9
Epcot AM
Lunch- Food & Wine booths
DHS in PM
Dinner- Sci Fi 7pm (this is first night Osborne lights are on, we will avoid them)

Saturday 11/10
Breakfast- Crystal Palace at 8am
MK AM- Family Magic Tour 10am
Lunch- QS at MK or CR
Dinner- Jiko at AKL
possibly hit MK after if we feel up to it (open til 1am for EMH)
OR Catch WISHES from TOW Lounge (we are at BLT)

Sunday 11/11
Epcot AM
Lunch- Food & Wine Booths
Dinner- Ohana at 5:30pm
MK PM (til 11pm for EMH)

Monday 11/12
sleep in
DTD AM- shopping
Lunch- Earle at 11am
Boardwalk/Beach Club- Beaches and Cream dessert
Nap/Swim
Dinner- Be Our Guest- 5pm (will probably do QS if not open or maybe LTT)
MK PM for MVMCP

Tuesday 11/13
sleep in
Blizzard Beach in AM (or MK or Epcot if too cold)
Lunch- QS at hotel or park
Epcot PM- Illuminations 9pm
Dinner- Garden Grill 7:30pm

Wednesday 11/14
AK AM for EMH
Lunch- QS- Flame Tree
MK PM- Wishes Dessert Party (8pm WISHES)

Thursday 11/15
MK AM for EMH
Lunch- QS - Cosmic Ray's or new Be Our Guest if open
DHS PM- Osborne Lights at closing (8pm)
Dinner- QS at DHS or hotel

Friday 11/16
Breakfast- Hollywood and Vine (my old workplace!) at 8am
DHS AM
Lunch- QS at hotel or DHS
Epcot PM
Dinner- Via Napoli 8pm

Saturday 11/17
RAC for check out (or if they open early at 8am, we might hit MK before)
Breakfast- Ohana at 10:30
MK AM
Flight home PM - haven't booked, but looking at something at 6pm or later

Looks good! Just a question: How do you know what night the wishes dessert party will be??? We did it last year on our MVMCP night. I really want to do it again

 

[Broncobilly83]

Has anyone heard anything recent about the quality of food and service at Fulton's Crab House at DTD? Thinking about doing DTD one night and might want to try them out (last time I was there was in 2000)

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Has anyone heard anything recent about the quality of food and service at Fulton's Crab House at DTD? Thinking about doing DTD one night and might want to try them out (last time I was there was in 2000)

I have heard its good but lunch is 1 credit and dinner is 2. I have read its not worth 2 though

 

[sjs314]

Looks good! Just a question: How do you know what night the wishes dessert party will be??? We did it last year on our MVMCP night. I really want to do it again

I was pretty sure the Dessert Party was held during MVMCP but when I was trying to research it yesterday could not find it documented. So glad to read this!

 

[sjs314]

I have heard its good but lunch is 1 credit and dinner is 2. I have read its not worth 2 though

I thought Fulton's was 2 credits for L & D. I was going to go in March but that was why we didn't.

 

[blackdogg]

I have been reading reviews of CRT-debating whether or not to take it off or not

This is one of those "experience" meals not necessarily "awesome food" ones for us. We have never had the dinner so we are mixing it up this time and trying it out. The castle itself and princesses are the main point for us and we are cool with that... if the food is awesome on top of it, great if not I definitely wouldn't be devastated. I'd just weigh that out for y'all... my girls are still super princess excited so I'm more than happy to spend the 2 credits & BONUS avoid waiting in line for the princesses at a later time!

 

[TracyM89]

When you say Wilderness Lodge, do you mean Artist Point or Whispering Canyon Cafe. The answer is YES to both, but Artist Point is a Signature location, so that would be 2 credits per person instead of one

Yes I meant the Whispering Canyon Cafe. LOL! My mind went blank.