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

[TracyM89]

Looks good! I would do WCC

I have thought about that place but didn't see where they had a menu for the dinner. I guess it's just the same as lunch?

 

[TracyM89]

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!


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!!!

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!


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!

looks great!!!

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?

The boys going this time isn't really into the Characters so I guess we are opting out.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

so y'all are having success getting your ADRs online? I have a TA friend who said they are having glitches in the system and people are just calling in and not even trying online right now...I make mine next week and dont want to waste time online if I should just call directly......

 

[mommyof3princess27]

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

Ur right... I thought I read it was 1 for lunch and 2 for dinner. I looked and now its 2 for both

 

[AquaDame]

so y'all are having success getting your ADRs online? I have a TA friend who said they are having glitches in the system and people are just calling in and not even trying online right now...I make mine next week and dont want to waste time online if I should just call directly......

I had to call but only because it was a DVC reservation. Online opens an hour earlier so you wouldn't be wasting much time trying, definitely worth it for the chance of being earlier in your booking!

 

[ldnoggle]

so y'all are having success getting your ADRs online? I have a TA friend who said they are having glitches in the system and people are just calling in and not even trying online right now...I make mine next week and dont want to waste time online if I should just call directly......

I made all of mine early Saturday morning and had no problems at all. Two of us got up and each had a laptop- we had all 11 done in less than 15 mins.

 

[GMU MOM]

so y'all are having success getting your ADRs online? I have a TA friend who said they are having glitches in the system and people are just calling in and not even trying online right now...I make mine next week and dont want to waste time online if I should just call directly......

I was able to book all our ADR's online on Sunday with no problems at all.

 

[IlovemesomeGoofy]

Question...is it 'safe' use the in-room safes?? I will have passports and a couple of other valuables that I don't want to bring to the parks with me (e.g. ipod). I'm just wondering if anyone has ever had an issue...

 

[TinkPirateMom]

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

Have you seen the latest Travel Agent Appreciation Offer? I am so mad it is only for travel dates through Sept. 27th. It is 60% off AoA plus you can add the dining plan (it's not free but on all the other TA discounts you can't even purchase it at all).
If were valid for our travel dates I think I would switch from the Poly to AoA.

 

[NJRA]

Does anyone know what time the online dining reservation system opens in central time zone?

 

[Caretames1]

Does anyone know what time the online dining reservation system opens in central time zone?

6:00am

 

[Deesknee]

I had to call but only because it was a DVC reservation. Online opens an hour earlier so you wouldn't be wasting much time trying, definitely worth it for the chance of being earlier in your booking!

I have never tried online, but was thinking about it for our upcoming trip. Why can't dvc ADR's be made online?

 

[pmama]

HS closes at 6 on Nov. 13. Do you think they will still do Osbourne Lights?

 

[karebear1]

I have never tried online, but was thinking about it for our upcoming trip. Why can't dvc ADR's be made online?

DVCers can make ADR's online through the disneyworld.com site. Your DVC accomadations will not be listed automatically on that site, but you can put them in on Disneyworld.com and voila! You can make ADR's on the site.

 

[Hmom]

ADR's done!!!

Renting DVC & had no trouble putting in reservation # when making ADRs.

Also done -
Harmony Barbershop
Pirate & Pal fireworks cruise
Pirate League

Wild Africa Trek is only available for booking through end of August at current time.

 

[beachphotog]

so y'all are having success getting your ADRs online? I have a TA friend who said they are having glitches in the system and people are just calling in and not even trying online right now...I make mine next week and dont want to waste time online if I should just call directly......

I wasn't able to use the online system on Monday, had to call for my ADR's. My mom went to set her's up the following day and had no problems with online...
Guess it is hit or miss.

 

[CristinaML]

I just made my ADRs!!!! I'm so excited to go now!!!!!!! I booked 1 ADR online while on hold for a CM and then booked the rest by phone including Pirates League and Pirate Cruise. I got my MVMCP tickets a couple days ago. OK I really need to chill out and get to work.

The only thing I still need to book is a Fantasmic Dining on 11/9 for some reason the CM couldn't access that and one of my ADRs for dinner is at 4PM I will most likely change that. Everything else I'm thrilled with!!!!!

 

[LaDonna]

9 more days until I made adr's!!! but not looking forward to getting up at 7am on Saturday

Would any of these be just as good for lunch? I know prices are usually cheaper which means spending less on tips

Thursday 15th MK(8am-7pm) then CapeMay for dinner

Friday 16th AK(9-5) then Boma for dinner

Saturday 17th Epcot(9-9) LeCellier for dinner

Sunday 18th HS(9-8) SciFi Dine for dinner

Monday 19th Epcot(9-9) LeChefsDeFrance for dinner

Tuesday 20th AK(9-7) Wispering Canyon for dinner

Wednesday21st MK(9-10) Chef Mickey's for dinner

Thursday 22nd HS(9-8) 50's Prime Time for dinner

 

[Stitch_Is_King]

Made our ADR's this morning for most of the trip (had a couple I could not make yet as they were past the +10 mark) and was able to get everything we wanted Just have to get our MVMCP tickets, book a little golf when that opens up and watch for the Wild Africa Trek to get closer to our trip.

 

[tigger30066]

9 more days until I made adr's!!! but not looking forward to getting up at 7am on Saturday

Would any of these be just as good for lunch? I know prices are usually cheaper which means spending less on tips

Thursday 15th MK(8am-7pm) then CapeMay for dinner

Friday 16th AK(9-5) then Boma for dinner

Saturday 17th Epcot(9-9) LeCellier for dinner

Sunday 18th HS(9-8) SciFi Dine for dinner

Monday 19th Epcot(9-9) LeChefsDeFrance for dinner

Tuesday 20th AK(9-7) Wispering Canyon for dinner

Wednesday21st MK(9-10) Chef Mickey's for dinner

Thursday 22nd HS(9-8) 50's Prime Time for dinner

I would def. do LeCellier for lunch. The food is just as yummy but so much cheaper. If on Dining Plan it will only cost one credit while dinner costs 2.