NOVEMBER 2012 Trip Planners Thread~ Everybody is Welcome~Part 3 already!

[Smileybug]

Our dining plans so far and are subject to change....

11/22
CS or order pizza
Wonder if Flipper's pizza is open for Thanksgiving if not there is always the AoA food court

11/23
'Ohanas for dinner

11/24
La Hacienda Dinner

11/25
Breakfast 'Ohanas

11/26
BBB for Kaileigh 1900 Park Fare for Dinner

11/27
Crystal Palace for lunch

11/28
Cape May Cafe for dinner

11/29
Via Napoli for dinner

11/30
Teppan Edo for dinner

12/1
'Ohanas for dinner

Those look good. I'm very envious of your Ohana reservation. We are having supper at the CP on the 27th.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

You can do it!!

Thanks!

If you haven't already done this, make a list of restaurants you want, what day and what timish you want to go and then try to make them. I think if you're just going online and picking and not finding and repicking it just frazzles your brain. And really keep trying every day until you are happy.

mommyof3princess27 is right, after FD opens up it will be next to impossible. But not quite impossible right? You have 2 more times before the trip when things might loosen up a bit. When ADR's for BOG open up and people need to drop other ressies to get it and 45 days out when some trips are cancelled.

This is good advice.

Our dining plans so far and are subject to change....

11/22
CS or order pizza
Wonder if Flipper's pizza is open for Thanksgiving if not there is always the AoA food court

11/23
'Ohanas for dinner

11/24
La Hacienda Dinner

11/25
Breakfast 'Ohanas

11/26
BBB for Kaileigh 1900 Park Fare for Dinner

11/27
Crystal Palace for lunch

11/28
Cape May Cafe for dinner

11/29
Via Napoli for dinner

11/30
Teppan Edo for dinner

12/1
'Ohanas for dinner

Sounds like a good plan. We are eating at a lot of the same places.

does anyone know if you can see wishes from the gf or contemp??

There is an observation deck at Contemporary that you can view them from and Cali Grill if you have an ADR or can get into the lounge. Not sure about GF.

 

[DisneyInDel]

does anyone know if you can see wishes from the gf or contemp??

Contemporary for sure..remember seeing the MK fireworks on our 1st trip in '94..we stayed there with our 3 DDs..now we bring husbands and grandsons..



Ahhhh...memories..like the corners of my mind...

 

[ireneryan]

Tomorrow you will be exactly 4 months out from your vacation.

I know!!! I'm super excited!!!! We're getting close to our 100 days out, so I guess we should start making a chain!!!! Woo-hooo!!!

On our fridge we keep the days till Disney in Alphabet magnets, we started at 294 days out, we're getting there!!!!!!!

 

[kaileighbug]

Those look good. I'm very envious of your Ohana reservation. We are having supper at the CP on the 27th.

That is the only place hubby wanted and he wanted dinner there twice. DD wanted breakfast there so now we have 3 meals there. I should be able to get lots of good pictures of the lobby... I would love to stay there one day but the cost is out of my range since we would rather have more days.

 

[ThreeAngels]

Happy 4th of July everyone!!

driving myself crazy with adr i cant seem to decide when were or what to do


seems like some places dont have many choices....grrrr

Ha ha! I think it's a requirement of this thread to drive yourself crazy! We're all very good at it!

you mean food wise? or ADR wise? But yes on both! After FDing comes out there will be even LESS ADR's avalable. So if you arent sure about what you want try to plan to be done before the 12th

Ugh! MORE pressure!

Happy 4th of July everyone! DH is working today (well this morning) so I am working on planning journals

DH and DS2 both have to work tonight. The jobs of policemen and grocery store clerks are never done! (both DSs work at the same grocery store, but DS1 lucked out and is off today.)

Good morning to you as well.

Happy Fourth of July everyone!!

Good morning to you and Happy 4th back at ya!

Its kind of funny......But all of a sudden I feel stressed to make sure I have everything lined up the way I want it.

Same here! When, oh WHEN, will we give it up?!

Its kind of funny......But all of a sudden I feel stressed to make sure I have everything lined up the way I want it. [/]

Happy 4rth of July Everyone!!

Gosh I know what you mean. I am so glad I finally have all my ADR's the way I want them with the exception of BOG. I think finally our trip has come together and is pretty well set. All we have to do now is get our airfare and pay off trip come September. Hope that when FD is announced all those who have been waiting will be able to get what they want and need. Have a great day everyone and enjoy this day with your family and loved ones.

I really think ours is about perfect now, too, just waiting for BOG and Dessert Party and hoping they fit in seamlessly...

Help I need a little advise! I've had all my ADRs finalized for awhile now, phew, but one keeps nagging me! I have a Fantasmic package with Brown Derby 2:50 ressie, but I keep reading varying opinions about A. the priority seating at Fantasmic is not so great, and B. the Brown Derby itself?

If any of you could give me an opinion (no trouble there!) on either, or maybe I should change to a different restaurant, would be greatly appreciated...maybe I should stop while ahead!

Thanks for all the help!

Oh and a Happy July 4th to all my neighbours to the south!

We only did the Fantasmic package once. We didn't think the seating area was anything special and we really don't care for the dining options at DHS, so we go elsewhere to eat. We nnever have eaten at HBD though. I think you should stick to what you have and give it a try!

Happy 4th of July! Heading to the beach today, hopefully the thunderstorms hold off. Everyone have a great day! And when you're watching the fireworks tonight, I dare you all not to think of Wishes!

Have fun at the beach! NO fireworks come CLOSE to Wishes IMO.

I always think about how Wishes is SO much better b/c of the way the fireworks are timed perfectly with the music/storyline!!

In other news, I finally got myself a ticker for this trip ! --Katie

Wishes is the BEST I LOOOVE your ticker! Looks great!

Hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th of July!!! Today is our 17th anniversary...we're heading to my parents for the day and maybe a trip to the waterpark at some point during the day!!

Happy Anniversary to you and your DH!

Happy Independence Day!!!



Happy Anniversary! Sounds like you have a great day planned!

I know I should be excited that there is only 4 months left until our trip but I'm honestly starting to freak out thinking about everything I still need/want to do. Now I will be adding another job into the mix so I'm not sure I will be able to get all the extra stuff done I wanted to.

Good luck with the new job! At least we all have a freaking out sounding board here...

Our dining plans so far and are subject to change....

11/22
CS or order pizza
Wonder if Flipper's pizza is open for Thanksgiving if not there is always the AoA food court

11/23
'Ohanas for dinner

11/24
La Hacienda Dinner

11/25
Breakfast 'Ohanas

11/26
BBB for Kaileigh 1900 Park Fare for Dinner

11/27
Crystal Palace for lunch

11/28
Cape May Cafe for dinner

11/29
Via Napoli for dinner

11/30
Teppan Edo for dinner

12/1
'Ohanas for dinner

Looks great!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Help I need a little advise! I've had all my ADRs finalized for awhile now, phew, but one keeps nagging me! I have a Fantasmic package with Brown Derby 2:50 ressie, but I keep reading varying opinions about A. the priority seating at Fantasmic is not so great, and B. the Brown Derby itself?

If any of you could give me an opinion (no trouble there!) on either, or maybe I should change to a different restaurant, would be greatly appreciated...maybe I should stop while ahead!

Thanks for all the help!

Oh and a Happy July 4th to all my neighbours to the south!

I have read the seating is not so great BUT we are going with the package and doing Mama Melrose's since HBD didnt look good to me YOu can check out the seating here http://www.stitchkingdom.com/maps/index.php?showmap=11 They all look like good seats to me!

That is the only place hubby wanted and he wanted dinner there twice. DD wanted breakfast there so now we have 3 meals there. I should be able to get lots of good pictures of the lobby... I would love to stay there one day but the cost is out of my range since we would rather have more days.

We stayed there in 2010. I loved it but now with the kids being older, its out of our range as well. Last time DD was FREE lol

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Help I need a little advise! I've had all my ADRs finalized for awhile now, phew, but one keeps nagging me! I have a Fantasmic package with Brown Derby 2:50 ressie, but I keep reading varying opinions about A. the priority seating at Fantasmic is not so great, and B. the Brown Derby itself?

If any of you could give me an opinion (no trouble there!) on either, or maybe I should change to a different restaurant, would be greatly appreciated...maybe I should stop while ahead!

Thanks for all the help!

Oh and a Happy July 4th to all my neighbours to the south!

So I know alot of people who think the world of Briown Derby - I'm just not one of them. To me, the food was heavy and just ok - more like wedding reception food than a great meal. We much prefer Mama Melrose for any sit down meals we do at DHS. Plus, I believe it's a cheaper meal. Isn't BD 2 TS credits if you are on the plan too? Just "food for thought."

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

So, we bought into the Disney Vacation Club last year, and this November we hoarded some points so we could get a 2 bedroom at Bay Lake Towers (sleeps 9) for 8 nights. We booked the room at 11 months out (last December), and invited my brother, his wife, and their 2 year old as well as my husband's sister and her child. Well, we're now 4.5 months out, and no one will confirm or deny that they are coming! At this point, we're going to keep the 2 bedroom for 8 nights regardless, as DVC fills up pretty quick and we bought our plane tickets, but it's wreaking havoc on my ability to make ADRs or any kind of park plans!! With free dining now potentially opening up during our dates, I feel a panic to get some meals booked before it's an impossibility. I've already booked 2 CP dinners (one for 4 people, one for 6), one of which I'll have to cancel later, cause husband's sis may be coming (I don't think the 2 year old family would be able to sit still for that one). Also tentatively booked CRT and Chef Mickey's towards the front of the trip for my two year old niece. Now, what should I do? Make THREE reservations for every other meal we might want, for parties of 4, 6, and 9?

This is making me certifiably crazy! I don't mean to sound ungenerous, but we are putting them all up for free, they just need to buy plane tickets, park tickets, and pay for their own food. I don't believe those costs are an issue for either family, particularly because both are in SouthWest flight paths. The villas even have kitchens so we don't have to eat out if we don't want to. They had all asked to be invited....

Help, I need some serious counseling!!! This is supposed to be fun...

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

OMG, i just realized it's worse than that - to accommodate all the combos, I would need to make FOUR reservations - for 4, 6, 7, and 9. ARGGGGHHH!!!

Thanks for listening to me.

 

[ireneryan]

So, we bought into the Disney Vacation Club last year, and this November we hoarded some points so we could get a 2 bedroom at Bay Lake Towers (sleeps 9) for 8 nights. We booked the room at 11 months out (last December), and invited my brother, his wife, and their 2 year old as well as my husband's sister and her child. Well, we're now 4.5 months out, and no one will confirm or deny that they are coming! At this point, we're going to keep the 2 bedroom for 8 nights regardless, as DVC fills up pretty quick and we bought our plane tickets, but it's wreaking havoc on my ability to make ADRs or any kind of park plans!! With free dining now potentially opening up during our dates, I feel a panic to get some meals booked before it's an impossibility. I've already booked 2 CP dinners (one for 4 people, one for 6), one of which I'll have to cancel later, cause husband's sis may be coming (I don't think the 2 year old family would be able to sit still for that one). Also tentatively booked CRT and Chef Mickey's towards the front of the trip for my two year old niece. Now, what should I do? Make THREE reservations for every other meal we might want, for parties of 4, 6, and 9?

This is making me certifiably crazy! I don't mean to sound ungenerous, but we are putting them all up for free, they just need to buy plane tickets, park tickets, and pay for their own food. I don't believe those costs are an issue for either family, particularly because both are in SouthWest flight paths. The villas even have kitchens so we don't have to eat out if we don't want to. They had all asked to be invited....

Help, I need some serious counseling!!! This is supposed to be fun...

I have family problems similar to this, I asked my sisters to come with us. One of them I was going to pay for her entire trip and just *crickets* so I tole them I need to know by May 1 (so I was ready for opening ADR day). I am a planner in a sea of non-planners!

I would just give them a deadline. Call them today/tomorrow and say that you need to know by July 10 if they are coming or not. Tell them you need to reserve things that involve knowing a party size. I would call them on the 10th if they haven't answered you by then to firm up their decisions. And then stick with whatever they tell you. Don't try to convince them to go, that usually backfires and don't tell them it's okay if they change their mind in October! Grown ups need to make grown up decisions.

With the July 10 deadline, you'll be able to make ADR's before FDing opens up.

Good luck, and FYI my sisters all turned down the trip for various reasons but now I'm just so relaxed knowing one way or the other and no feelings were hurt. We're all good, just planning all different vacations...

 

[DsnyMama]

Good afternoon everyone! Happy 4th!!

Could you update my info in the OP? We are still there the 26-Dec 5, but moved from AoA to an AKV/CSR split!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

It is so annoying when people won't tell you yes or no on travel plans. I would never turn down a stay at BLT if I got invited, lol.

Right now I booked the Candlelight Processional at 6:45pm (originally had it at 5pm but it was recommended to go later due to the lighting). My ds will be one years old at the time, is it okay to bring him in? I didn't think it would be a problem at Disney but am now rethinking this. Maybe the 8pm show would be better, he would likely be asleep in the stroller, do they even let strollers in?

We're going to MVMCP on November 27th, it will be our first time at the party. Any must do/see tips?

Thanks!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

So, we bought into the Disney Vacation Club last year, and this November we hoarded some points so we could get a 2 bedroom at Bay Lake Towers (sleeps 9) for 8 nights. We booked the room at 11 months out (last December), and invited my brother, his wife, and their 2 year old as well as my husband's sister and her child. Well, we're now 4.5 months out, and no one will confirm or deny that they are coming! At this point, we're going to keep the 2 bedroom for 8 nights regardless, as DVC fills up pretty quick and we bought our plane tickets, but it's wreaking havoc on my ability to make ADRs or any kind of park plans!! With free dining now potentially opening up during our dates, I feel a panic to get some meals booked before it's an impossibility. I've already booked 2 CP dinners (one for 4 people, one for 6), one of which I'll have to cancel later, cause husband's sis may be coming (I don't think the 2 year old family would be able to sit still for that one). Also tentatively booked CRT and Chef Mickey's towards the front of the trip for my two year old niece. Now, what should I do? Make THREE reservations for every other meal we might want, for parties of 4, 6, and 9?

This is making me certifiably crazy! I don't mean to sound ungenerous, but we are putting them all up for free, they just need to buy plane tickets, park tickets, and pay for their own food. I don't believe those costs are an issue for either family, particularly because both are in SouthWest flight paths. The villas even have kitchens so we don't have to eat out if we don't want to. They had all asked to be invited....

Help, I need some serious counseling!!! This is supposed to be fun...

Some ppl just dont understand how important it is to make ADR's 6 months out!!!

OMG, i just realized it's worse than that - to accommodate all the combos, I would need to make FOUR reservations - for 4, 6, 7, and 9. ARGGGGHHH!!!

Thanks for listening to me.

I have been going through that... not so much lately BUT before. What I would do is pick where you want to eat and book them, you can do one for 4(like you said) under your name and one for 6 under DHs name/account. Then let the other families pick and choose what they want. Give them the list of where you are eating and they they can eat at the same place or a different place

 

[mommyof3princess27]

It is so annoying when people won't tell you yes or no on travel plans. I would never turn down a stay at BLT if I got invited, lol.

Right now I booked the Candlelight Processional at 6:45pm (originally had it at 5pm but it was recommended to go later due to the lighting). My ds will be one years old at the time, is it okay to bring him in? I didn't think it would be a problem at Disney but am now rethinking this. Maybe the 8pm show would be better, he would likely be asleep in the stroller, do they even let strollers in?

We're going to MVMCP on November 27th, it will be our first time at the party. Any must do/see tips?

Thanks!

I dont think they will let strollers in BUT if he will sleep on your lap I would do the later one.
We are also going to MVMCP on the 27th

 

[Divaofdisney]

does anyone know if you can see wishes from the gf or contemp??

Yes you can!!! When we stayed there, our room was close by the boat dock and was a perfect place to sit and watch the fireworks. We still talk about that trip and sitting there on dock/lawn and watching them. Such a fond memory for us!!

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Thanks for your advice everyone!! I think I'm gonna send them all a note today and lock them down to an answer by the 10th, or no go. Hopefully no one will hate my guts!

 

[disneychic2]

This is totally off topic, but I'd like to share something with y'all - my DIS friends. My DH just got offered a new job!!! He has been very unhappy where he is for a long time, and his industry has been very slow in this economy, but his hard work has finally paid off! I am so proud of him!

I'm hoping he will be able to take off for Disney, but if even if he can't take off the whole time, he will take off part of the time and fly down to meet us. Either way, it will be fine. I'm just so happy for him.

Time to get my behind back to work! Have a great afternoon!

That's wonderful! Congratulations to both of you. Hope it still works out for the full trip!

Okay so after a complete and total panic this morning, I will not go into details but let's just say it wasn't pretty, I have decided that even though my dates don't match up for FD I am going to just go along with my happy little plans like I never heard of FD. I will not add 4 days to my trip, I will not make myself more nutso than I already am.

I have a great resort (poly), DxDP, airfare and lots of other goodies planned and it's all paid off so I need to stop stressing. Well, at least about that stuff... I still have BOG and Dessert party to book and I always have ADR's I can look for to try to get a slightly better time...

So I have 3 days at MK, 2 at Epcot, 1 each for HS and AK. 1 Resort day and 1 princess day. I think it will all be good.

Now I'll just be sending tons and tons of pixie dust to everyone who is trying to make FD work for them!

So glad you are at peace with your plans! You'll have such a great time and so much great dining! I've never stayed at the Poly, but I know you'll absolutely love it, based on everyone's raves. Enjoy!

Thank you both!!! I know I'm lucky to have the trip planned that I have, I think sometimes I just get carried away in the I want more!! thing. Ugh, not a pretty quality.

I just had a visit with someone who just went to WDW for 3 days and felt like she reached her limit for how long she could be there, she's just shocked at how long I plan to be there for....

It's my first trip, I just have to keep reminding myself that I will be going back again, I really will!!!

Maybe that person only knew about MK and thought that was all there was to it. People do that sometimes, believe it or not. It is hard to not try to do everything on the first trip and realize that you'll be able to come back and do more. I think everyone feels that way on their first trip...at least the planners do.

For everyone who hasn't booked their flights yet, make sure you check out Southwest today.
I have been monitoring prices since they came out last month and this morning I booked our return flight for $98/ one way but the flight down was still the same. Well, about an hour ago I checked again and the fare for that flight went down as well.
I was able to use my bonus 50,000 points to book all 4 roundtrip tkts and still have points leftover.
Can you tell I'm so excited?

I love your excitement level!! I just changed my flights for the 2nd time yesterday when I saw the rates change. I'll probably keep checking until the day we board the plane!

I agree... make ADRs NOW!!! Cancel what you don't want later. Lots of people will wait until FD is offered to the GP, and when it is, it will be very hard to get ADRs.

I work the opposite way... I plan my days, then my nights, including night time activities, then I make a list of all the restaurants we want to try, and last I try to fit the the restaurants in with where we will be. I prefer not to have to spend too much traveling to ADRs.

This is much what we do. Look at crowd levels, recommended parks etc., then plan what park we'll be in both morning and evening, then pick a restaurant we want to try based on where we'll be. That keeps traveling to and from much easier.

Polynesian, Contemporary and Grand Floridian, and i'm thinking Wilderness Lodge from the dock, maybe? I'm sure someone will know for sure on that one!

You cannot see Wishes from the dock at WL unfortunately.

driving myself crazy with adr i cant seem to decide when were or what to do


seems like some places dont have many choices....grrrr

Look at the crowd levels of each day and plan what park you want to visit. Will you be there the entire day or will you have park hoppers? If hopping, you can choose any park. If not, pick something in the park you are visiting that day or one of the resorts nearby. If you're wondering about menus, check allears. If you have a specific question about a certain restaurant, I venture to guess someone on this thread will be able to answer it! Good luck!

I always think about how Wishes is SO much better b/c of the way the fireworks are timed perfectly with the music/storyline!!

In other news, I finally got myself a ticker for this trip ! --Katie

that is stinkin' cute!! Where did you get it?

 

[disneychic2]

Thanks for your advice everyone!! I think I'm gonna send them all a note today and lock them down to an answer by the 10th, or no go. Hopefully no one will hate my guts!

I really don't understand when people can't make a commitment. I hope they will respond to your note and you can finalize your plans. Good luck!

 

[ThreeAngels]

Thanks for your advice everyone!! I think I'm gonna send them all a note today and lock them down to an answer by the 10th, or no go. Hopefully no one will hate my guts!

I think that's a great idea. You can only do so much. You need to be able to plan to have a magical vacation. No one has any business hating your guts about this!