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

[Santa]

Anyone considering NOT going if airfares do not go down?
For myself & my son from Dallas TX, each year it averages between $400-$500
total round trip for BOTH of us.
But this year, it is averaging approximately $800 or more total.............
That is just too steep for me?
Other's looking at the same problem & re-thinking not going this year?
Just curious...........

To me it seems the airline's are saying "Come fly with us for double the money & don't bring anything with you or we will make even more money off you". This coming trip will be our first to drive from the northern Cincinnati area. We just bought the 2012 VW Passat diesel that is getting around 44 hwy. I have already figured the cost for driving + a hotel stay midway should be around $400 versus $1100+ for the 5 of us to fly.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

To me it seems the airline's are saying "Come fly with us for double the money & don't bring anything with you or we will make even more money off you". This coming trip will be our first to drive from the northern Cincinnati area. We just bought the 2012 VW Passat diesel that is getting around 44 hwy. I have already figured the cost for driving + a hotel stay midway should be around $400 versus $1100+ for the 5 of us to fly.

That is great gas mileage! I am happy to have another driver to chat with. We figure our savings will be around $1100 and we are happy that we will have a vehicle with us for certain days (like getting from WL to AK early for our Tusker House reservation and for our DTD trip), and I'm happy I can pack the kitchen sink if I want

 

[ThreeAngels]

I'm sorry that you had difficulty! I am not a morning person AT ALL so I would have lost my mind......I hope that you have it worked out now

I have never made ADR's before, so how does the system typically 'link' the dining reservations to your current reservation. Do you put in your confirmation number or sign in or......???

Thanks! Was able to call right at 7am and got everything we wanted, including 'Ohana for Thanksgiving dinner! . And I WAS losing my mind! I had everything ready next to my bed and my plan was to book everything online quickly and go right back to bed ( DH is on overnights, so wasn't here yet to be disturbed). Then I got to spend an HOUR fretting about it instead. The very nice CM I spoke with made all the ressies for me and then gave me another confirmation number for our trip and said they use both and either should work online as well. Still didn't work for me though when I tried and I tried with both confirmation numbers...

Was able to do everything online for our Thansgiving 2010 trip. You just log-in at Disneyworld.com and enter your reservation number and it's very easy......USUALLY...

Hey ya'll.

I have a question .....I'm assuming that most of us are hoping Be Our Guest resturant is open by our trips. Since we obviously can't make reservations now. What are ya'll doing? Booking something else in that spot? Or just leaving that spot vacant until reservations open? I'm sitting here still working on my list and it hit me that we can't even try for those reservations yet and we have no guarantee that the resturant will even be taking reservations for our trip times.

Oh, definitely book something else in place of BOG for now. We booked Crystal Palace, but are soooooo hoping to book BOG instead. Here's hoping we ALL get to go to Be Our Guest!

Still hoping for free dining for the fall. We extended our trip by two days to have a chance of getting it. If we don't, we'll have to shorten it again.....

 

[mydisneyobsession]

Woe.......... I LOVE Disneyworld, but I am not the "roadtrip" kind of gal. I would be out of my mind if I had to drive 17 hours anywhere. We recently drove to Austin from Dallas in June 2011 & that drove me nuts, it was about 3-4 hours & I HATED it !!!!!

Sounds like you will have a sweet ride with all those bells & whistles, but it would take more than that for me, especially since I would be the one driving.

Have fun, I will just have to keep checking on airfares & hope they will go down. Keeping my fingers crossed !!!

That drive from Austin to Dallas is THE WORST. I don't mind driving, but that stretch of road is miserable because the scenery doesn't change AT ALL.

My husband is the one who hates road trips, so the drive from Houston to WDW is out. If we can't fly, I can't go!

I can't remember where in Texas you live - do you have the Southwest Visa? I know that flying from Dallas on Southwest is kind of hard, but we are able to rack up trips pretty quickly. I know they're offering bonus points right now, which could certainly help.

Do you follow Airfare Watchdog? I've seen great rates in the past, although I haven't been watching lately. I'm locked in to Southwest because we're using Rapid Rewards Credits, so I'll just pay whatever they're charging.

I hope it works out so that you can go! Maybe you can downgrade resorts to cover the rise in airfare?

 

[MrsBearcat]

To me it seems the airline's are saying "Come fly with us for double the money & don't bring anything with you or we will make even more money off you". This coming trip will be our first to drive from the northern Cincinnati area. We just bought the 2012 VW Passat diesel that is getting around 44 hwy. I have already figured the cost for driving + a hotel stay midway should be around $400 versus $1100+ for the 5 of us to fly.

We did the drive from central Indiana last year its not too bad My biggest piece of advice is to avoid going through Atlanta between 6-10a and 4-8p if at all possible. It is a total madhouse on 75 at those times!!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I read on the disney page that there is no current FD offer.... they took it down. There is still Hope!!!

 

[weedles]

I read on the disney page that there is no current FD offer.... they took it down. There is still Hope!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

That drive from Austin to Dallas is THE WORST. I don't mind driving, but that stretch of road is miserable because the scenery doesn't change AT ALL.

My husband is the one who hates road trips, so the drive from Houston to WDW is out. If we can't fly, I can't go!

I can't remember where in Texas you live - do you have the Southwest Visa? I know that flying from Dallas on Southwest is kind of hard, but we are able to rack up trips pretty quickly. I know they're offering bonus points right now, which could certainly help.

Do you follow Airfare Watchdog? I've seen great rates in the past, although I haven't been watching lately. I'm locked in to Southwest because we're using Rapid Rewards Credits, so I'll just pay whatever they're charging.

I hope it works out so that you can go! Maybe you can downgrade resorts to cover the rise in airfare?

We drove from this area to disney 3 times as a kid and I HATED it...i would still hate it!! and my hubby is in and out of the truck and driving around all the time for work, so for him to fly in & out, and then have Disney trans all week is part of the vaca for him. We even stick with Deluxes because he hates the buses---now i wouldn't mind the bus at all,if it came down to getting to go or not. I don't think he would either, but so far, with promos/discounts we are ok, and we get some flier miles thru our company--it just takes more points now!! Hopefully rates will drop and not increase between now and then!!

 

[NJRA]

I was finally able to get an adr at Tusker House on 11-16 Now if only we had FD in the bag

 

[julieanddanny]

We just booked what most of you would think is crazy exp airfare. But I'd pay twice that to not have to drive from Maine!

Really it was $2100 for 5 of us an that was the cheaper option. Our originally planned dates would have been $3400!!

 

[StilAPrincessAtHeart]

I'm getting excited to make my ADRs in a couple of weeks. I think I've finally settled on what I want, but had a couple of question (hopefully not too many.) Any advice would be appreciated.

First, I'd like to do Ohana for dinner and experience Wishes from the beach. Wishes will be at 8:00 p.m. What would be a good reservation time to ensure that we get through the meal then out to the beach in time?

Second, I'd like to tour AKL after our AK day, then eat dinner @ Boma. I assume we will take the bus from AK to the AKL for dinner. But, to get back to our resort, POFQ, what's the best way (besides cab?)

Third, On our HS night, I want to do both Primetime and Sci-Fi. My plan is 50's for a late lunch then Sci-Fi for a late dinner. I'm also planning on Fantasmic @ 6:30 and then somewhere in there see the Osburne Lights. So this is where it gets tricky (bear with me.) Park will close at 8:00, but I see (on Disney's site) that you can make ressies after Park closes. My question then is if you are in the park eating well after the park has closed, are buses still running??

Sorry, I know that's a lot of questions. Thanks in advance!

 

[Hmom]

I'm getting excited to make my ADRs in a couple of weeks. I think I've finally settled on what I want, but had a couple of question (hopefully not too many.) Any advice would be appreciated.

First, I'd like to do Ohana for dinner and experience Wishes from the beach. Wishes will be at 8:00 p.m. What would be a good reservation time to ensure that we get through the meal then out to the beach in time?

Second, I'd like to tour AKL after our AK day, then eat dinner @ Boma. I assume we will take the bus from AK to the AKL for dinner. But, to get back to our resort, POFQ, what's the best way (besides cab?)

Third, On our HS night, I want to do both Primetime and Sci-Fi. My plan is 50's for a late lunch then Sci-Fi for a late dinner. I'm also planning on Fantasmic @ 6:30 and then somewhere in there see the Osburne Lights. So this is where it gets tricky (bear with me.) Park will close at 8:00, but I see (on Disney's site) that you can make ressies after Park closes. My question then is if you are in the park eating well after the park has closed, are buses still running??

Sorry, I know that's a lot of questions. Thanks in advance!

I can help a little....maybe!

Ohana - 6-6:30ish for a leisurely dinner & wandering down to the beach

From AKL after dinner, your best option would be to take a bus back to one of the parks that is open late & switch to a POFQ bus. Don't forget, there are two lodges & many savannah views to see...I think they also have night vision goggles some evenings.

HS - that is a lot of stuff to do! You might want to switch to early meals instead of late to get everything in. (Personally, I'd skip Sci-Fi - fun atmosphere, but I think the food isn't all that great) Fantasmic! isn't just the time for the show, it is also the time in line to get in & back out. Osbourne Lights, we loved it! We spent a nice long time oohhing & aahhhing at all of the little details. Amazing!

Sounds like you have a great trip planned!

 

[Hmom]

We drove from this area to disney 3 times as a kid and I HATED it...i would still hate it!! and my hubby is in and out of the truck and driving around all the time for work, so for him to fly in & out, and then have Disney trans all week is part of the vaca for him. QUOTE]

Me too! Not the truck part, but I drive all of the time for work, so not driving is part of the whole vacation. My brand new 9 month old car has 21,000 miles on it And that is with renting cars for long work trips.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I can help a little....maybe!

Ohana - 6-6:30ish for a leisurely dinner & wandering down to the beach

From AKL after dinner, your best option would be to take a bus back to one of the parks that is open late & switch to a POFQ bus. Don't forget, there are two lodges & many savannah views to see...I think they also have night vision goggles some evenings.

HS - that is a lot of stuff to do! You might want to switch to early meals instead of late to get everything in. (Personally, I'd skip Sci-Fi - fun atmosphere, but I think the food isn't all that great) Fantasmic! isn't just the time for the show, it is also the time in line to get in & back out. Osbourne Lights, we loved it! We spent a nice long time oohhing & aahhhing at all of the little details. Amazing!

Sounds like you have a great trip planned!

I liked Sci-Fi lol but maybe you could do a late lunch, and then see Fantasmic! after that head to Osbourne lights and plan for an 8pm adr at 50's . Though Osbourne lights are neat, they are always so crowded so we only spent 20-30 minutes looking at them.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

1 week and 2 days til ADR's Smileybug!!!! Its getting so close

 

[TinkPirateMom]

I forgot to share with you guys that I received a 35% off PIN via snail mail this past week so be on the look out another round of PINs are going around and they are much better than the last round of 10% off offers.

Today is my first day off after working 12 straight days. All I want to do is sit on the couch everyday and DIS, but it's my niece's b-day party so I will have to get my butt in gear soon. It's so funny, my 3 year old son tells people "Mommy is at work to make money for Disney World." He cracks me up.

I need to take another look at my ADR's. I have O'hana booked for breakfast and lunch as well as a Kona dinner. Now we are staying at WL so I don't think we need to go over to Poly that often. I wasn't going to rearrange things but now I think I might.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

We just booked what most of you would think is crazy exp airfare. But I'd pay twice that to not have to drive from Maine!

Really it was $2100 for 5 of us an that was the cheaper option. Our originally planned dates would have been $3400!!

I believe it! I have a 13yo that has been wanting to go to Maine since 1st grade!! The airfare has always been high from Houston to there, so I can only imagine what it is right now!! And mercy!! What a drive that would be! It would def be worth $2100!!! In fact, right now, for us to book from Houston to FL, it's the same price,so I think you snagged a deal!!!!

We drove from this area to disney 3 times as a kid and I HATED it...i would still hate it!! and my hubby is in and out of the truck and driving around all the time for work, so for him to fly in & out, and then have Disney trans all week is part of the vaca for him. QUOTE]

Me too! Not the truck part, but I drive all of the time for work, so not driving is part of the whole vacation. My brand new 9 month old car has 21,000 miles on it And that is with renting cars for long work trips.

Wow! Thats a lot of miles!! A few years ago, he was in and out and in the truck so much that he was having some back problems, so to drive to WDW and back was asking for trouble,..now it is not so much his back (but who knows, that could aggravate it again), but part of our vaca!! We budget it in and go for it!

 

[Smileybug]

I liked Sci-Fi lol but maybe you could do a late lunch, and then see Fantasmic! after that head to Osbourne lights and plan for an 8pm adr at 50's . Though Osbourne lights are neat, they are always so crowded so we only spent 20-30 minutes looking at them.

We like Sci-Fi as well. But I always get a burger and milkshake.

We enjoy being at the Osbourne lights for the start. They have a cute little ceremony where children are pulled out to "flip" a BIG switch. Then you get this huge audible grasp and all of the oohs and aahs from the crowd as the lights come on and the snow falls. Perfect moment for a little hugging and kissing in the middle of all of that.

1 week and 2 days til ADR's Smileybug!!!! Its getting so close

Can't wait!! Besides, I'm starting to go alittle crazy with second guessing my choices and times.

 

[Smileybug]

I forgot to share with you guys that I received a 35% off PIN via snail mail this past week so be on the look out another round of PINs are going around and they are much better than the last round of 10% off offers.

Today is my first day off after working 12 straight days. All I want to do is sit on the couch everyday and DIS, but it's my niece's b-day party so I will have to get my butt in gear soon. It's so funny, my 3 year old son tells people "Mommy is at work to make money for Disney World." He cracks me up.

I need to take another look at my ADR's. I have O'hana booked for breakfast and lunch as well as a Kona dinner. Now we are staying at WL so I don't think we need to go over to Poly that often. I wasn't going to rearrange things but now I think I might.

I do hope ya'll LOVE the WL.

 

[LaDonna]

Does anyone know if there are any places that open at like 10 or 10:30 for lunch????? I'd like to have as early a lunch as possible on the day I have our dinners at around 4pm

here are my adr's how do they look?



Thursday MK 11/15 Cape May 7:45

friday AK 11/16Boma 6pm

Sat Epcot Lecellier 11:30 lunch

Sunday HS currently SciFi at 4:15 but still waiting on Fantasmic to open up we want Hollywood Brown Derby. I need an early one for either if we go to Fantasmic and if my dd possibly makes it to the finale for AI

Monday Epcot LesChefs De France 5:30

Teusday AK Wispering Canyon 7:20

Wednesday MK Chef Mickey 5:15

Thursday HS 50's Prime Time 4:20 Again early for either fantasmic or AI

Friday if we do not get Hollywood Brown derby I got us down for Grand Floridian Cafe for our departure day