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

[ekatiel]

Well we have MK scheduled for Sunday and Epot on our last night. Coral reef is a must so we either give up GG or WCC..... My kids wanna try Cape May Cafe so its either GG goes or WCC. I do wanna see the WL so am I really missing anything giving up GG?

The food at Garden Grill really wasn't my thing, but the character interaction was GREAT. Also, the whole rotating restaurant thing is cool . When given the choice, I almost always choose character dining over non-character dining while we're at WDW-- where else can you eat with Mickey Mouse??! --Katie

 

[ashleycade]

I can relate.. When we did DP in 2005 we had the appetizers and then in 2010 nada... This year we are doing the Deluxe Dining which does include the appetizers... It does help that we have the FD so we only had to pay the difference between the plans. If FD releases as a GP code you could always try for that.

We already have FD. We upgraded from the quick service to the regular plan.. I added up the appetizers, a breakfast everyday, & an extra snack and it would cost less to just pay oop. I just can't justify the extra money for the deluxe plan. I don't see us sitting down for 3 TS meals everyday! Especially with a 2yr old!! We would love to try it when the kids get older! We also wish the tip was still included!!:

 

[princesshope1982]

i am so excited!!!! Almost 4 months away. i can almost see the castle

As im a first timer can anyone tell me what to expect once the trip is fully paid for. Will they send me the tickets and room info? And what is this fd pin everyone keeps talking about? is that something that could be added to me current package. We have the ddp already.

What does everyone usually do on arrival and departure days. Since i heard you cant get into your room until after 3.

 

[4my2girlz]

i am so excited!!!! Almost 4 months away. i can almost see the castle

As im a first timer can anyone tell me what to expect once the trip is fully paid for. Will they send me the tickets and room info? And what is this fd pin everyone keeps talking about? is that something that could be added to me current package. We have the ddp already.

What does everyone usually do on arrival and departure days. Since i heard you cant get into your room until after 3.

You will get a packet of information in the mail, including luggage tags if you are using the magical express from the airport.

It saves time to register online (you can do this 10 days ahead, I think) then when you arrive (even before 3) you can do the shorter line at check-in, they will keep your luggage, deliver to your room when it's ready, and text you your room #. At check-in they give you your key to the world, which is your ticket to the parks!

Hope this helps!

 

[4my2girlz]

This is my first trip so in no way no what to expect but, while I can see the point of being tied down to ADR's limiting flexibility, doesn't not having ADR's take more time in finding places to eat, waiting in line, basically serving yourself, having to find a place to eat? Is it really that much of a time saver? Just curious, no disrespect meant.

My DH & I debate about this ALL the time...the first year we appreciated free dining, loved making ADR's because it was the girls first trip and we wanted to experience as many character meals AS POSSIBLE! Then once we got there, we felt it took the spontaneity out of the trip...the next year QS was offered for free and we still decided to upgrade to magic your way to include sit-down meals!! Then while there, we thought AGAIN it was too much...decided to book off-site for this year's trip, do SeaWorld, Universal & Islands of Adventure, I've helped several friends book and ALWAYS recommend doing the magic your way to include character meals, have helped them make their ADR's...then I found this forum...and decided we COULD NOT live without the dining plan and staying ONSITE!!! It's just a necessary evil We choose to do at least one or two that take 2 meal credits (BBQ, HDDR, CLP) so we have a couple of days of just CS where we can be spontaneous!

BTW...between making ADR's for my friend and this forum, we ditched the 2nd week at our timeshare (which was a 2 bedroom @ SeaWorld Hilton which would have cost us $179 for the week) and opted for an LM room @ AoA...I booked literally 4 days before I could make our ADR's....couldn't stand reading about others and not being able to do it myself!

 

[momto2inKC]

Same here. I'm not counting on Aug 4th at all yet. Even the Disney Parks Blog still says 'in August', no specific date yet. No other source but her blog on here has that date.

I have yet to see a source for this Aug. 4 date posted by wdwinfo.com. The prior Disney Parks Blog post said "late August," and the one I just got this morning says, "You can start making reservations in late August." I'm a bit skeptical of a report coming in between those two statements that contradicts them both by naming a date in very early August... I'm thinking either rumor (with or without deep inside info) or someone misread things somehow... I am not counting on Aug. 4 at this point. But I'm really more interested in the opening date anyway...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[kaileighbug]

I need everyones help..... I have a tough choice to make and cant decide which one I want.... OPININIONS PLZ! Which places?

A.
Sunday: Cape May Cafe
Wed(CLP) Garden grill
Saturday Coral Reef

B.
Sunday-Whispering Canyon Cafe
Wed-Coral Reef for CLP
Sat-Cape May Cafe

Coral reef is a must for us

I pick B. We loved Cape May Cafe especially all you can eat crab legs....We were there quite awhile since DD couldn't crack her own. We haven't tried WCC yet. Garden Grill we did enjoy the characters but didn't really enjoy the food. DH will not go back to that one. He makes sure to ask to make sure we are not eating there. He also didn't like hollywood and vine.

 

[princesshope1982]

ok i need some help or reassurance.

im hearing all about this free dining stuff and we have booked already with the ddp which was alot. should i have not done that and is this something they usualy offer. Also would it not be offered for the aoa because its new..::breath breath:: i feel like i am always second guessing my plans..is this normal or am i just freaking out

 

[tigger30066]

ok i need some help or reassurance.

im hearing all about this free dining stuff and we have booked already with the ddp which was alot. should i have not done that and is this something they usualy offer. Also would it not be offered for the aoa because its new..::breath breath:: i feel like i am always second guessing my plans..is this normal or am i just freaking out

second guessing is very normal, as is third and fourth guessing.

 

[mydisneyobsession]

I pick B. We loved Cape May Cafe especially all you can eat crab legs....We were there quite awhile since DD couldn't crack her own. We haven't tried WCC yet. Garden Grill we did enjoy the characters but didn't really enjoy the food. DH will not go back to that one. He makes sure to ask to make sure we are not eating there. He also didn't like hollywood and vine.

I had no idea that Cape May has ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAB LEGS! We grabbed a dinner ADR there for our first day on the Boardwalk, and I was wondering if I really wanted to keep it. I'm so totally in.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I need everyones help..... I have a tough choice to make and cant decide which one I want.... OPININIONS PLZ! Which places?

A.
Sunday: Cape May Cafe
Wed(CLP) Garden grill
Saturday Coral Reef

B.
Sunday-Whispering Canyon Cafe
Wed-Coral Reef for CLP
Sat-Cape May Cafe

Coral reef is a must for us

Okay after second and third guessing myself, we are going with Option A! I want to atleast say we tried it and didnt or did like it Thanks for all your opinions!!!!! I am kid of getting excited about this one! AND its for the Candlelight processional!

 

[vleeth]

Mine just tunes me out after he hears enough and then I just do what I want with our planning. Then later when he says anything I just say I told you about this and you probably just tuned me out.... (He will then admit he must have and just go with what I said.)

I just give mine Disney info in small doses. I talk about it all the time on here and to a couple of friends. But I only give my husband info once or twice a week. It was more in the beginning when we were deciding when to go. I just told him last night that I decided to stay at an off site hotel Friday night, so we can take our time getting there and have time to rest before we officially start our trip at Disney on Saturday.

 

[DisneyMom0709]

Cape may seafood buffet is excellent! Hubby & mine fav.
So where did this August 4th date come from it's posted on wdwinfo isn't it?
Very strange but if ADR do open up late august that should mean bog should be opening by October so we all should be good to go. I'm getting so excited we have to leave on black Friday to drive so I guess I'll be doing some online shopping while driving lol.
I am also getting married in September and taking our kiddies to Disney in November
I can't wait to buy my daughter the belle Christmas dress

 

[princesshope1982]

what are some other good dining options. the only ones i booked are for charachter dining but now im curious what else are musts for us to try

sun 1900 park fare
mon (hoping for bog) mk
tues hs
wed akershus epcot
thur ak
fri ?
Sat bbb/crt
sun ? leaving


any suggestions?

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Cape may seafood buffet is excellent! Hubby & mine fav.
So where did this August 4th date come from it's posted on wdwinfo isn't it?
Very strange but if ADR do open up late august that should mean bog should be opening by October so we all should be good to go. I'm getting so excited we have to leave on black Friday to drive so I guess I'll be doing some online shopping while driving lol.
I am also getting married in September and taking our kiddies to Disney in November
I can't wait to buy my daughter the belle Christmas dress

I bought my DD the Belle Christmas dress off of ebay and LOVE it!

what are some other good dining options. the only ones i booked are for charachter dining but now im curious what else are musts for us to try

sun 1900 park fare
mon (hoping for bog) mk
tues hs
wed akershus epcot
thur ak
fri ?
Sat bbb/crt
sun ? leaving


any suggestions?

Well I have tons of suggestions!
MK-Crystal Palace-unless you get BOG(may want to book CP now then cancel if you get BOG)
DHS- 50's primetime cafe OR sci-fi(burger and shake place-they have other stuff too but you get to eat in cars like your in a drive in theater!)
AK-Tusker House donalds safari breakfast! YUMMO! We love it! Havent tried lunch but its a character meal too
Fri-maybe visit Downtown Disney and do T-Rex? Or Rain Forest Cafe? I recommend T-Rex though
Sunday-Maybe Chef Mickeys breakfast(fab 5 and a great last meal) or Ohanas breakfast(Polynesian has Lilo and stitch)

These are my fav places! Mostly character but some not lol

 

[ekatiel]

ok i need some help or reassurance.

im hearing all about this free dining stuff and we have booked already with the ddp which was alot. should i have not done that and is this something they usualy offer. Also would it not be offered for the aoa because its new..::breath breath:: i feel like i am always second guessing my plans..is this normal or am i just freaking out

You're fine . It won't matter that you've already got the dining plan booked, if free dining comes out as a general public offer, you will still be able to get it . It is *possible* that they won't offer it at AOA (especially the Little Mermaid rooms, which seem to be almost full for Nov.). If you decide that the savings are worth it, and they don't offer AOA, you can always switch to another resort. Also, if you haven't already done this, you need to call Disney and ask if you have any PIN codes attached to your name (or the name of anyone else traveling with you-- give them each adult name one by one!). A LOT of people have free dining PIN codes attached to their names right now. Alas, I am not one of them , but it's possible that you may be!! Here's wishing you a little pixie dust ! Post back and let us know if you had a PIN code. Also, I'm not sure when your dates are, but some dates are blacked out on the PIN code ("Jersey week" and Thanksgiving week are two of the biggies). As long as you CHECK IN on a date where free dining is offered, you can have it for your entire stay. For instance, as long as you arrive on or before 11/15, you can have free dining all the way through Thanksgiving week. I hope this info helps!

what are some other good dining options. the only ones i booked are for charachter dining but now im curious what else are musts for us to try

sun 1900 park fare
mon (hoping for bog) mk
tues hs
wed akershus epcot
thur ak
fri ?
Sat bbb/crt
sun ? leaving


any suggestions?

'Ohana for dinner is a must-do for us every trip. It's our favorite restaurant in the world. We also love breakfast there, too . Dinner does not have characters, but there is a lady who leads the kids in a hula dance and coconut races. It's a lot of fun, and the bread pudding for dessert is TO DIE FOR . Breakfast at 'Ohana includes Mickey and Lilo and Stitch. Also very fun. I also second Tusker house breakfast at AK-- yummy and great characters! At HS we usually do the Fantasmic package at Mama Melrose. This year, we'll have two full days there, so we're trying Sci Fi dine-in, as well! Happy planning! --Katie

 

[AquaDame]

Does anyone happen to know if you have only a one night stay are you able to pay for it on gift cards? You have to do the first night as a deposit so I know *technically* that means we already paid, but we get a discount on them so would love to use them if at all possible. TIA!

 

[tigger30066]

Does anyone happen to know if you have only a one night stay are you able to pay for it on gift cards? You have to do the first night as a deposit so I know *technically* that means we already paid, but we get a discount on them so would love to use them if at all possible. TIA!

Yes you can use the gift cards to pay for your room. You have to have a credit card on file if you want to charge to your room, but if you do not want to do that, a cc is not needed.

 

[Sandy Mouse]

Does anybody know when they take down the Halloween decorations? The last Halloween party is November 2nd.

We just changed our dates to November 1st to 7th - staying at AoA LM room. Can you please add me?
Thanks.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I am gonna have so much fun tonight LOL I am such a dork! DH has to work his second job tonight(side job really) and since I finally made the descision about our ADR's I can complete the planning binders for everyone! My grandmother and grandfather come up from FL to visit in about 2 weeks and my gma(love her to death) wants me to handle her payments and everything. I told her Id ahve her binder all ready for when she comes up. Now I can start planning our night at the Boardwalk!