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

[mommyof3princess27]

Also prefer TS at lunch too. And buffets so we can get a rest and a quicker meal...

Now do you do a reg lunch time like 12-1 or a late time like 2 or 3?

 

[LaDonna]

just called again for Fantasmic package in Nov. (3 different days now)....still telling me it is not showing up in the system yet, she even said she checked to see if there were any reservations made to check and see if it wasn't just completely booked already and nope told me to call again....weird I don't understand

 

[mommyof3princess27]

just called again for Fantasmic package in Nov. (3 different days now)....still telling me it is not showing up in the system yet, she even said she checked to see if there were any reservations made to check and see if it wasn't just completely booked already and nope told me to call again....weird I don't understand

well atleast you know it isnt already booked solid! There is still hope! I hope since we are going AFTER Thanksgiving that there is some availability left for TS ressies!

 

[LaDonna]

well atleast you know it isnt already booked solid! There is still hope! I hope since we are going AFTER Thanksgiving that there is some availability left for TS ressies!

I'm actually a lil' worried for those that said they were able to book????? I'm wondering if they ended up just getting booked for the restaurant but not with the Fantasmic package I ended up booking Hollywood and Vine this morning for a lunch and then I have SciFi booked for like around 4 so I'll decide which one I wanna keep later if I can't get my Fantasmic done

 

[whodatdare]

Quick Travel Agent question....

How long (in hours, days, or weeks) should it take you to get a quote back if they would be considered "good."

 

[weedles]

I'm actually a lil' worried for those that said they were able to book????? I'm wondering if they ended up just getting booked for the restaurant but not with the Fantasmic package I ended up booking Hollywood and Vine this morning for a lunch and then I have SciFi booked for like around 4 so I'll decide which one I wanna keep later if I can't get my Fantasmic done

Im wondering if maybe they opened the first half of the month but not later for F! package?? I originally just had a MM lunch booked. After calling several times I was able to get a CM that could book for me and cancelled my original "just lunch" ressie. When I logged in I had to refresh my reservations to see it added but it is def listed as F! Package. I dont have my sched w me but I believe its for 11/5.

I would just keep calling and Im sending pixie dust that everyone gets what they need

 

[mistybroussard]

Yesterday - I called to see if I had a pin code attached to my name. For the first time ever, yes i did! The gal did some research and said it was going live today, and thought it might be for free dining, but she could not confirm it.

She was able to tell me that there were blackout dates for November - that were almost identical to last years blackout dates for free dining. First week was blacked out - Thanksgiving week was blacked out...etc. I made a reservation for November 9-18. The first day - the 9th through the 15th was the first open week for this particular code.

Today, I called and yes the code had gone live this morning. Free quick service dining - and dropped our reservation cost by $700 and change.

So keep calling and checking! By the way, last week I had made up a package and saved it on DW reservation site....dont know if the code was added after this, but seems appropriate that it might have been added then.

Congrats!!! I'm gonna call today... How will it work if I booked my trip thru a travel agent? Does the TA need to be the one to call??

 

[weedles]

Quick Travel Agent question....

How long (in hours, days, or weeks) should it take you to get a quote back if they would be considered "good."

Seconds?? Minutes?? Thats it!! LMAO jk. I have NO patience whatsoever when it comes to my disney vacation planning. Im sure I wold drive any TA crazy so good thing I love the planning.

Seriously though I would think within a day or so would be enough time Im sure one of the wonderful TAs on here will give better info for you

 

[tigger30066]

Quick Travel Agent question....

How long (in hours, days, or weeks) should it take you to get a quote back if they would be considered "good."

I think 24 hours. That is just my opinion.

 

[Kristina]

Yesterday - I called to see if I had a pin code attached to my name. For the first time ever, yes i did! The gal did some research and said it was going live today, and thought it might be for free dining, but she could not confirm it.

She was able to tell me that there were blackout dates for November - that were almost identical to last years blackout dates for free dining. First week was blacked out - Thanksgiving week was blacked out...etc. I made a reservation for November 9-18. The first day - the 9th through the 15th was the first open week for this particular code.

Today, I called and yes the code had gone live this morning. Free quick service dining - and dropped our reservation cost by $700 and change.

So keep calling and checking! By the way, last week I had made up a package and saved it on DW reservation site....dont know if the code was added after this, but seems appropriate that it might have been added then.

EEEPP!!! My dates are Nov. 12- 19th and I'm hoping like mad for free dining, and this does sound promising! So happy for you, that you got a code , Wow what a great savings ! I'll never get a code as I live overseas but hoping for it's realeased across the board eventually. Now me lol !

 

[mistybroussard]

Quick Travel Agent question....

How long (in hours, days, or weeks) should it take you to get a quote back if they would be considered "good."

I used Magical Journeys and if I remember correctly - they got back to me within 24 hours with a quote. They have also always responded to any email within 24 hours (usually less). I'm sure that during "busy" times (release of discounts) - it would be longer. I think I may have gotten a quote from one other TA (cant remember name) - and that response was around 24 hours as well.

 

[whodatdare]

Okay, so I'm not crazy thinking five days (currently the sixth) is way too long to wait?

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Also prefer TS at lunch too. And buffets so we can get a rest and a quicker meal...

Us too! It also frees up the night, which my children love!

Now do you do a reg lunch time like 12-1 or a late time like 2 or 3?

We always book 11:00 - 12:00. I try to book it as early as I can because my kids are not big breakfast eaters and they get hungry, plus the wait time is not very long.

We also book diner meals around 7:00 pm. My kids have a good snack in the late afternoons.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I have been lurking here for several weeks but haven't posted yet. We are booked at WL from Nov 3rd - Nov 11th. This is our first trip with our 6 and 8 year olds. I am beyond overwhelmed by all the planning this trip is taking. I am so stressed about figuring out which park to visit on which day! I had my husband help me and I think we have it figured out but I keep worrying about it. He said I am waaaayyy overthinking it all. But, I have been dreaming about taking the kids for years and I just want to make sure I do everything I can so that we have the best time we possibly can.

I have a question for everyone who books all these meals in advance. I did book CRT and Biergarten but I worry that booking dinner every night will make us feel rushed to be at a certain place at a certain time. I also worry that the kids might be too exhausted to sit through a sit down meal each night and counter service might be easier. Anyone have any advice or thoughts on this?

Just wanted to add that unless you plan to be AT the park for RD(rope drop-when they open the 'door to a park), skip any park that has EMH for that morning,..people will be there early, others will trickle in around 9-10 and the park just gets more and more crowded. I never do a morning EMH. Now, an evening one works if your kids are still going strong by then, the parks have a different feel to them after the sun sets..very magical!
go to a site like easy wdw, and look at the park days-read why he gives a park a green or red light for the day, and you will understand some of the psychology behind it. Once it makes sense, planning on your own is a lot easier. Knowing that you are going in a slower season of the year should help you to not panic too! It won't be dead, but waits are definitely managable and lighter...
For us, we always eat a sit-down dinner together, every night..whether it be at home, of if we eat out, so for us to have a CS/lighter lunch and a sit down dinner made sense. Also, if gave our kids' feet and legs a break when they were smaller! Sometimes I did turn it around and do the sit-down meal for lunch, then CS for dinner, or eat at the resort so we could swim and then relax for the night.That kind of depends on how you want to do it. I am a planner by nature, so 'winging it' for food plans made me nervous-not so much my hubby, but that is not relaxing to me! I always know what park we are gonna be in per day, so choosing a place to eat just falls in line after that,..you secured the Castle, so the rest shouldn't be too hard to get.
Ask any questions you have..I remember our first trip and how much you want to get it 'right' for your family!!! Happy Planning!!!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Okay, so I'm not crazy thinking five days (currently the sixth) is way too long to wait?

That's insane!

Heck, we could all help you hear faster than that. We could have you booked with a discount and a list of places to eat, you name it.

Why dont you just book on your own? It's really not hard at all and YOU are in control of everything. If you have any questions you could ask them here on the Dis and get all kinds of information.

My friend just used a travel agent and I helped her more than the agent did. It was a waste.

 

[Kristina]

whodatdare I agree with WDWMomOf3!

I would advise you not to use that TA if they ever get back to you. If you don't book it yourself you need a good TA that is on the ball and can get you a discount if it comes out. Someone who is looking out for you! I have always used Dreams Unlimited who own the Dis boards and am confident if free dining comes I'll get it but there are lots of other good ones too. Otherwise you can easily book it all yourself, and I always book my own dining online. But yeah, 24 hours tops to hear back and I heard back the same day when I put my request in! Sorry they arn't treating you right!

 

[Kristina]

I'm already switching my dining ADR's around, and it's only been a week! lol. What I have, and am very happy with is the following, but I'm wondering if I should change Kona to Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner and stay in the park? It's open until 1am and I'm already going to have a great steak at Le Cellier that day. Unsure what to do !

Day 1 -Crystal Palace Breakfast on my first day, at 8:20am (but I'm missing the opening welcome show and I'm sad about that so I might change it)
Day 2 -Ohana dinner
Day 3 -Cape May dinner
Day 4 -La Hacienda De San Angel dinner
Day 5 -Crystal Palace dinner
Day 6 -Le Cellier lunch
-Kona dinner
Day 7 -Counter service all day then fly home ...

 

[ewalshslp]

Just called to see if I had any PINs attatched to my name....and there was a free dining PIN under my husband's name!!!!! WOO HOOOO!! So excited! Definitely upgrading to Deluxe Dining now!!!!

 

[AquaDame]

I'm already switching my dining ADR's around, and it's only been a week! lol. What I have, and am very happy with is the following, but I'm wondering if I should change Kona to Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner and stay in the park? It's open until 1am and I'm already going to have a great steak at Le Cellier that day. Unsure what to do !

Day 1 -Crystal Palace Breakfast on my first day, at 8:20am (but I'm missing the opening welcome show and I'm sad about that so I might change it)
Day 2 -Ohana dinner
Day 3 -Cape May dinner
Day 4 -La Hacienda De San Angel dinner
Day 5 -Crystal Palace dinner
Day 6 -Le Cellier lunch
-Kona dinner
Day 7 -Counter service all day then fly home ...

Personally I would keep Kona, but we are eating OOP this trip. A large lunch usually means I'm not that hungry for dinner and I would be bummed to spend a lot and not eat it!

 

[jcieutat]

Just called to see if I had any PINs attatched to my name....and there was a free dining PIN under my husband's name!!!!! WOO HOOOO!! So excited! Definitely upgrading to Deluxe Dining now!!!!

What week will you be there???????