October 2013 Code Watch?!

[smitch425]

I honestly can't believe what I'm hearing! This is our first October trip, and maybe I just don't know what to expect. We have never had problems getting dining reservations! Our 180 day mark was on Monday, I sent our information to our TA last week. She emailed me yesterday and said that she did the best she could and really only 1 reservations is a tad off of what we asked for. Tonight she emailed me to tell me that she had a lot of trouble getting the pirates league booked for my boys, I asked for mid afternoon and the only time she could get was 9:25am! We have a reservation at 7:55 at O'hana.

Are you booking it on a MNSSHP day? That could be why the afternoon is full.

 

[mythreeboys]

Yes we did and I did think of that being a reason (cause I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking that its a great costume for the party). It still shocks me that within days it is packed. She said one of us may need to leave our breakfast early to check them in. I was hoping to be able to check out the Poly for a bit after breakfast.

 

[TarrahA]

Mythreeboys, I've never personally been to the PL, but It's my understanding that they give you the makeup palette they use after leaving, so my plans include MK for two full days & MNSSHP on a 3rd. I scheduled PL for the 1st day & plan to just reuse the makeup any other day the kids want to. If you have more than one MK day, I'd suggest doing that, or just plan to reapply makeup as a touch up while waiting in a ride line later that afternoon if its for MNSSHP. Anyone please correct me if wrong though.

I know it's not an answer to the frustrating reservation problem, but a possible work around maybe?

 

[smitch425]

Mythreeboys, I've never personally been to the PL, but It's my understanding that they give you the makeup palette they use after leaving, so my plans include MK for two full days & MNSSHP on a 3rd. I scheduled PL for the 1st day & plan to just reuse the makeup any other day the kids want to. If you have more than one MK day, I'd suggest doing that, or just plan to reapply makeup as a touch up while waiting in a ride line later that afternoon if its for MNSSHP. Anyone please correct me if wrong though.

I know it's not an answer to the frustrating reservation problem, but a possible work around maybe?

I can say with absolute certainty that the Jake makeover received no extra makeup, and the mermaid makeover received a small makeup palette, but it was not the make up used for the actual makeover. The nail polish was the same, but the makeup was not even close.

 

[TarrahA]

Well that's disheartening = / any reason why not, was it asked? Just wondering if it was a possible fluke or just something they don't offer for all costumes...?

 

[smitch425]

Well that's disheartening = / any reason why not, was it asked? Just wondering if it was a possible fluke or just something they don't offer for all costumes...?

The make up used for the mermaid package is real makeup, not face paint. It is a much higher quality than the take home makeup. I just checked the official PL thread and there is no mention of any packages coming with extra makeup for touch ups. I think I remember reading that you could come back to PL for a small touch up on the same day if something got messed up, though. Here is a link to the official thread...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2428848

 

[jenjersnap]

I honestly can't believe what I'm hearing! This is our first October trip, and maybe I just don't know what to expect. We have never had problems getting dining reservations! Our 180 day mark was on Monday, I sent our information to our TA last week. She emailed me yesterday and said that she did the best she could and really only 1 reservations is a tad off of what we asked for. Tonight she emailed me to tell me that she had a lot of trouble getting the pirates league booked for my boys, I asked for mid afternoon and the only time she could get was 9:25am! We have a reservation at 7:55 at O'hana.

We had to choose non-ideal pirates league times too. I called at 180+7 and the entire afternoon was booked already. Kinda crazy!

 

[ColonelHathi]

Does anyone know if it is necessary to book TRex 180+ ahead of time? This is a "must do" for DS, but I have noticed that there is no availability on Disney's website for the evening we are looking to go there. We're planning on calling the restaurant directly for the reservation though, and wondering if it makes sense to do it this far in advance? I've heard you can wait, but wondering if that is such a good idea?

Also, any idea on spa reservations? We're interested in the spa at SSR that is currently being reno'd and they aren't taking reservations, so should I book our massages at GF Senses or another location instead and then cancel once/if we get into the SSR spa when they open that back up?

Also tempted by the Mandara Spa at the Swan/Dophin - is there free parking available near the resort?

Sorry for all of the questions, hoping someone knows. TIA!

 

[TarzansKat]

I can help with your Trex question. For some reason, it shows up as booked on the website. If you call directly, they usually have availability. I have run into this a couple of times. The direct number is really best for them.

 

[mythreeboys]

Does anyone know if it is necessary to book TRex 180+ ahead of time? This is a "must do" for DS, but I have noticed that there is no availability on Disney's website for the evening we are looking to go there. We're planning on calling the restaurant directly for the reservation though, and wondering if it makes sense to do it this far in advance? I've heard you can wait, but wondering if that is such a good idea?

Also, any idea on spa reservations? We're interested in the spa at SSR that is currently being reno'd and they aren't taking reservations, so should I book our massages at GF Senses or another location instead and then cancel once/if we get into the SSR spa when they open that back up?

Also tempted by the Mandara Spa at the Swan/Dophin - is there free parking available near the resort?

Sorry for all of the questions, hoping someone knows. TIA!

I would call. This is one of the restaurants we booked and our TA had to call to get a reservation. Based on the experience we have had so far, I would call to book anything, especially a must do.

 

[suetoo]

I can help with your Trex question. For some reason, it shows up as booked on the website. If you call directly, they usually have availability. I have run into this a couple of times. The direct number is really best for them.

Trex only releases about 10% of their reservations to Disney Dining. Call directly and you will get a table! But I would call now, like others have said.

 

[ColonelHathi]

Ah, OK. Thanks for the suggestions on TRex. I was thinking that too, but not sure if it would be overkill. I do have the # and heard it was the best way to put in a request for the ice cavern room.

I can still remember the days when the SoA was a hot reservation and booking a month out still got you a decent table, or just stopping by CP at DL was ok that day. 180 days just seems crazy to me.

 

[suetoo]

Ah, OK. Thanks for the suggestions on TRex. I was thinking that too, but not sure if it would be overkill. I do have the # and heard it was the best way to put in a request for the ice cavern room.

I can still remember the days when the SoA was a hot reservation and booking a month out still got you a decent table, or just stopping by CP at DL was ok that day. 180 days just seems crazy to me.

I hear you!! I don't know what I am eating tomorrow but I know what I am eating in 162 days

 

[katielafave]

Starting to get really worried about what deals are going to be available in October. We e recently extended our vacation from six days to eight which is obviously going to add cost. We are going to POR from October 5-12. Hoping for at least 30% off if not free dining. Wish they would announce soon!

 

[emsstacey]

Our trip is almost exactly the same... POR Oct. 5-12. We were doing 6-11 but extended due to airline prices. Crossing my fingers for a discount!

 

[gterin1524]

We will be at POR, Oct. 4-12, fun fun! I am hoping for FD, but I wouldn't worry about there not being a discount at all. If they offered 30% room discount to summer months I think October will at least see that too.

 

[sare]

I'm at POR Oct 7-13. Sounds like that's a popular week! As it is our trip is not quite in our price range (we usually stay value but decided to splurge for our Disneymoon) so a discount would be fantastic! If not, we will just have to keep saving up.

 

[katielafave]

Our trip is almost exactly the same... POR Oct. 5-12. We were doing 6-11 but extended due to airline prices. Crossing my fingers for a discount!

We did the same thing! We were planning on driving, but got an amazing deal on airfare. However, they only fly a few days per week. Excited for more time and not driving, but stressed about added cost.

 

[txcpamom]

I hear you!! I don't know what I am eating tomorrow but I know what I am eating in 162 days

That is just funny! And so true!

 

[lemonsours]

We will be at POR, Oct. 4-12, fun fun! I am hoping for FD, but I wouldn't worry about there not being a discount at all. If they offered 30% room discount to summer months I think October will at least see that too.

I'm at POR Oct 7-13. Sounds like that's a popular week! As it is our trip is not quite in our price range (we usually stay value but decided to splurge for our Disneymoon) so a discount would be fantastic! If not, we will just have to keep saving up.

Starting to get really worried about what deals are going to be available in October. We e recently extended our vacation from six days to eight which is obviously going to add cost. We are going to POR from October 5-12. Hoping for at least 30% off if not free dining. Wish they would announce soon!

Our trip is almost exactly the same... POR Oct. 5-12. We were doing 6-11 but extended due to airline prices. Crossing my fingers for a discount!

It looks like we are all going to be quite the crowd over at POR!!! We will be there from Oct 6-13, staying in a RR. So excited! We are hoping for free dining too, but our plans won't change if nothing comes.

Marce
My first PTR! Drink up me hearties yo-ho! An Oct 6-13 2013 PTR