October is here!!! A Semi-live TR!!! Our Oct 7-14 trip to the world!

[KathyM2]

I'd say that would be pushing it. I always allow 2 hours for Disney transportation.

However, If you really want a morning adr and you want to get some rest, A Taxi from POR to the Contemporary is $12+ tip. It takes about 20 minutes or less. I would allow yourself 40 minutes just to be on the safe side. (20 minutes for the cab ride, 5 for waiting on a cab, 15 to get through security and to CP itself. )

Ugh...seriously? 2 hours?? I had no idea...I better look at all my plans again if it really takes that long...but great idea on the cab...this might be one of the times it's worth it. Do the cabs go right to MK or is the Contemporary the closest you can get in a cab? I will definitely think about that option to allow us a lot more time to sleep in and chill.

Good luck with that!

Thanks...clearly...not having much luck with it yet lol

I think that you will sleep very well after the party and wake up refreshed and ready to eat! Besides, you don't have to really "wake up" until you are on your way to CP, just get up and out the door. That's what I tell myself as I get ready in the morning half asleep...

Yes that's true...we don't really have to do much...but I like to have some time to get ready for the park day that will happen right after so have to be semi awake to make sure I don't forget anything lol. But you're right...it will probably be ok even if I don't manage to change it to later.

 

[SarahDisney]

I know that 9:50 is probably fine...but I was really hoping to have a leisurely morning after a late night at the party...and to get to a 9:50 ADR in the park...I'm sure we'd still have to leave POFQ by like 8:30 or so...which still means getting going relatively early

I'd say keep the 9:50 and keep searching. If you can get a slightly later one, that's great. If not ... at least you have this, and you can make a decision a few days before the trip.
Having never stayed at POFQ, I don't know how long it will take you to get to MK, but ... if you're running late, cabs are usually pretty affordable. So don't stress out too much if you can't make the very early wakeup.

 

[KathyM2]

I'd say keep the 9:50 and keep searching. If you can get a slightly later one, that's great. If not ... at least you have this, and you can make a decision a few days before the trip.
Having never stayed at POFQ, I don't know how long it will take you to get to MK, but ... if you're running late, cabs are usually pretty affordable. So don't stress out too much if you can't make the very early wakeup.

Thanks yeah, that's good to know. I already found a couple cab apps and downloaded them onto my phone lol and I'm sure the desk at POFQ will have numbers for some as well if it comes to that...

 

[KathyM2]

I think I found the perfect park bag...for me anyway. Last time I used the highly recommended messenger bag. While I did like it, and it held everything I could think of...It did start to bug me by the end of the day. I'm more of a backpack girl. I want a small, light backpack that can hold the park essentials and is easy to carry. This bag I found, even though it's probably meant for kids...looks perfect!! I would love to see it in person though to really gauge the size and try it on first though!!

 

[KatMark]

I think 9:50 sounds pretty darn good. But no harm in trying for alter. Yes, the Wave does not have characters. We are with you...not fans of Chef Mickey's dinner at all. We've not done breakfast in at least a hundred years and would like to get back some time for that.

 

[kastoney]

After much debate in regards to what to do on our first day at WDW since it will probably be late afternoon by the time we got to our resort...I decided to ADD a night!!!

WOOOHOOOO!!!!! Yeah for an extra night. I always love to come in the night before and get a head start on the next day. Hubby thinks it doesn't feel like vacation if we don't get on a flight at the crack of dawn. #DisneyProblems

So of course...now that we have the extra day...but we will get kicked out of MK by 7pm...trying to think of somewhere to go for dinner on that day.

Sounds like you have lots of suggestions, but Whispering Canyon is a good and fun choice not far from MK.

This bag I found, even though it's probably meant for kids...looks perfect!! I would love to see it in person though to really gauge the size and try it on first though!!

Love this. I need something l like that. My daughters back pack broke last trip and the plain black bag hubby picked up just doesn't hit the spot for me.

 

[KathyM2]

I think 9:50 sounds pretty darn good. But no harm in trying for alter. Yes, the Wave does not have characters. We are with you...not fans of Chef Mickey's dinner at all. We've not done breakfast in at least a hundred years and would like to get back some time for that.

So even though I said I would stop obsession...guess what? I'm still obsessing and flip flopping. I went and changed my ADR back to 1900 Park Fare...because I was able to get a 10:40am there. And I know that to get to the GF is more of a pain because not IN the park...I may have to spring for a cab for that. That way...we could really sleep in and relax that morning...take a cab leaving at like 10am...straight to the GF...look around there and eat...and then easily get to MK from there...NOW...I'm really going to leave it alone for a while. The only thing that would be better than this is a 10:30 at CRT or O'hana...which I don't think ain't ever gonna happen...so I should just let it go!!

WOOOHOOOO!!!!! Yeah for an extra night. I always love to come in the night before and get a head start on the next day. Hubby thinks it doesn't feel like vacation if we don't get on a flight at the crack of dawn. #DisneyProblems

Sounds like you have lots of suggestions, but Whispering Canyon is a good and fun choice not far from MK.

Love this. I need something l like that. My daughters back pack broke last trip and the plain black bag hubby picked up just doesn't hit the spot for me.

I agree...getting up at 4am does not sound like fun...and I think we would be really tired that night if we went straight to a park..and it would just start the trip off wrong. So I'm really excited it worked out this way. Yes, I really like the look of this bag too...and it's Disney to boot! But I'm hoping I can find somewhere local that carries it to see if it looks as good in person!

 

[sharona]

Hey! Just found your ptr and got caught up on your plans - sounds like it's going to be wonderful. You know how I love a mother/daughter trip! Some observations:

Adding that extra night was a brilliant idea - already being at your destination on "day 1" really gets you off to a great start. For the record, we've done MK on arrival day when they were closing early (grad night) and while it was ok - it was tough to leave when the time came because you're so revved up on the first night.

Rant!!! The ADRs are hard to get because people are hoarding them. They're booking multiple BOG and other popular ADRs and then waiting until they book their FP+s to decide their final plans then they cancel later! The system almost forces this on people but I still think it's selfish. (rant over)

I like the PP's suggestion for Whispering Canyon - I've been wanting to try that and it's high on my list for our December visit.

Canada has Thanksgiving?

 

[KathyM2]

Hey! Just found your ptr and got caught up on your plans - sounds like it's going to be wonderful. You know how I love a mother/daughter trip! Some observations:

Adding that extra night was a brilliant idea - already being at your destination on "day 1" really gets you off to a great start. For the record, we've done MK on arrival day when they were closing early (grad night) and while it was ok - it was tough to leave when the time came because you're so revved up on the first night.

Thanks!! Yes, another mother/daughter trip will be awesome! I'm so excited to spend almost a whole week with just her!! I'm so excited about the extra "whole" day...it sure beats getting up at 4am. We will be up late the night before, sure, but that's ok because we will wake up at WDW!!!

Rant!!! The ADRs are hard to get because people are hoarding them. They're booking multiple BOG and other popular ADRs and then waiting until they book their FP+s to decide their final plans then they cancel later! The system almost forces this on people but I still think it's selfish. (rant over)

That must really be why. It's hard to believe that so many people know exactly where they will want to eat 5 months from now. You're right...the system does force this on you by making them possible so far in advance - but I really think that they should be available only a little before, or even at the same time that you can book FP+ so that so many reservations wouldn't be "in limbo" for three months while people firm up their plans. I think 3 months prior for ADR's would be fair and then the 2 months for FP+ for onsite and 1 month for offsite...might make it a teeny bit more reasonable....what do I know...but makes sense to me lol

I like the PP's suggestion for Whispering Canyon - I've been wanting to try that and it's high on my list for our December visit.

Canada has Thanksgiving?

Yeah Whispering Canyon looks like a lot of fun...I'm hoping we can fit it in (and get a ADR lol)

And yes, Canada has Thanksgiving LOL but it's in Mid October! We do turkey and fixin's etc...but I don't know if we Canadians get into it as much as the Americans...as usual...we are just a bit less patriotic lol...but it does make for a holiday and a good time to go to Disney methinks

 

[pkondz]

This bag I found, even though it's probably meant for kids...looks perfect!!

Well, aren't you a kid at heart? So it's okay, then.

 

[sharona]

Love that bag. Where did you find it online?

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Ugh...seriously? 2 hours??

The standard recommendations are and hour and half. You've already seen one instance in my TR where that would not have been enough. If they are running on schedule it will be closer to an hour ( 20 minutes for the bus to arrive at the stop 30 minutes drive time) but when you have a situation where you have to be somewhere by an exact time you want more cusion. We would have been Out of luck our first night had we not given more wiggle room. It took a full 2 hours that time.

Do the cabs go right to MK or is the Contemporary the closest you can get in a cab?

No the closest you can get in a taxi is the TTC. If you tell them that you want the Contempory and that you are walking to MK they will drop you right at the walk way. The walkway isn't bad at all. Not much farther than the bus stop would be anyways.

Very cute! But it does look small though.

 

[KathyM2]

Well, aren't you a kid at heart? So it's okay, then.

Ha! True indeed! I have no problem wearing a kids' bag...the only reason I care if it's actually made for kids is because I worry that I may not get the straps over my shoulders if they aren't extendable enough KWIM? So that's kinda why I'm going to try to track it down in person before I buy it - or at least one the same style to try on (since chances are in Canada I won't find the exact one in a store....sigh)

Love that bag. Where did you find it online?

The bag is a Le Sportsac - I found it on their website but I'm sure it's also on Amazon and if you are in the US...you will undoubtedly be able to find it in lots of places for way less than in Canada...again...sigh...but...I will be doing some cross border shopping in early August so I plan to look for it in Buffalo

The standard recommendations are and hour and half. You've already seen one instance in my TR where that would not have been enough. If they are running on schedule it will be closer to an hour ( 20 minutes for the bus to arrive at the stop 30 minutes drive time) but when you have a situation where you have to be somewhere by an exact time you want more cusion. We would have been Out of luck our first night had we not given more wiggle room. It took a full 2 hours that time.

Wow. That's just nuts. I guess we were really spoiled staying at WL before...but still...1 1/2-2 hours is...a lot of time. I know it's free and all and I'm greatful for not having to drive myself but....sigh...that can take a chunk out of your vacation. Anyway...IF I don't change things around again....I think right now I will plan on at least a couple of cabs during this trip...one of them being from the POFQ to the GF for breakfast.

No the closest you can get in a taxi is the TTC. If you tell them that you want the Contempory and that you are walking to MK they will drop you right at the walk way. The walkway isn't bad at all. Not much farther than the bus stop would be anyways.

Very cute! But it does look small though.

Definitely good to know that you can get a cab to the CR and it's a short walk from there. I may have to use that tip if we don't want to wait for the busses. Yes, the bag does look small - that's the "mini" backpack. They do have that print in a bigger size too...but I don't want "too" big a bag because it will end up being heavy I'm sure....so anyway...yet another reason I need to see these in person and try them out!

 

[pkondz]

I have no problem wearing a kids' bag...the only reason I care if it's actually made for kids is because I worry that I may not get the straps over my shoulders if they aren't extendable enough KWIM?

I hear ya. I actually thought about that.

 

[KatMark]

We took several cabs on this past trip and it is worth it over the aggravation of waiting for a bus or monorail. They weren't all that expensive either.

 

[KatMark]

Duplicate

 

[samsteele]

Canada has Thanksgiving?

Yup. We still have the original North American Thanksgiving date mid October. The traditional Harvest Home. I believe FDR changed the US Thanksgiving date to November during the Great Depression in the hopes of digging out of the Depression by jump starting the American economy via sparking higher consumer spending leading into the Christmas season.

 

[KathyM2]

I hear ya. I actually thought about that.

'Cause you are all about the details

We took several cabs on this past trip and it is worth it over the aggravation of waiting for a bus or monorail. They weren't all that expensive either.

That's good to hear. I will have to bear that in mind when the busses are slow or the lines are crazy...but I still want to try to do busses when possible. But yeah...I don't want to leave at 8:30am for a 10:30am ADR if it's only 15 mins away...that's a bit nuts.

Yup. We still have the original North American Thanksgiving date mid October. The traditional Harvest Home. I believe FDR changed the US Thanksgiving date to November during the Great Depression in the hopes of digging out of the Depression by jump starting the American economy via sparking higher consumer spending leading into the Christmas season.

I take it you are a Canuck too I had no idea that was the reasoning behind the US Thanksgiving...so are you saying that the Mid-October Canadian Thanksgiving is the original time to have it? and then only the US moved it? Personally (no offence to all the Yanks here lol) but I think Mid-October is a much better time for Thanksgiving...Late November is waaayyyy too close to Christmas for a big celebration...but maybe that's just me lol. That said though...at least once, it's on my bucket list to actually celebrate American Thanksgiving in the US...and go somewhere that they do it up right...like someone's house lol...any takers? Kidding of course...I'm sure there's a really patriotic resort type place that does a great Turkey feast....

 

[SarahDisney]

Yup. We still have the original North American Thanksgiving date mid October. The traditional Harvest Home. I believe FDR changed the US Thanksgiving date to November during the Great Depression in the hopes of digging out of the Depression by jump starting the American economy via sparking higher consumer spending leading into the Christmas season.

Where are you getting this information? I've never heard this before, and a quick google search shows it as having always been November, including the original Thanksgiving with the pilgrims.

I think Canadian Thanksgiving and US Thanksgiving are two entirely separate holidays that just happen to share a name.

 

[samsteele]

I had no idea that was the reasoning behind the US Thanksgiving.

Yes. And that decision truly helped the US (and the World) dig out of the Great Depression. By linking the 2 big holidays, his administration slowly but surely created a spending juggernaut. Today's Black Friday, anyone? But for purists, early to mid October remains Thanksgiving because that is when the harvest should be in and the farms redied in the agrarian farm communities of the North East. And that is when we give thanks for having an abundant harvest that, with the help of our neighbours, should see us through the long hard winter to come.