***Official April 2013 thread*** SEE POST # 4028

[okw19]

I don't know how I am JUST now joining this thread! We will be down April 25- May 2. Staying off property for the first time, Mariott's Harbour Lake. Anyone stayed here before?

 

[mystikgarden]

Got Dh to pack last night Itineraries are printed and laminated. All we have to do is wait... 5 days.

 

[OhMari]

Is there a thread for grouping together for an Illumination Cruise?
I am looking for April 15th or 16th.

 

[danceintherain]

I already posted this over on the Facebook page, but I figure some people may not be over there:

I just thought I'd share a really great rental car deal that someone posted on the Budget Board with AVIS. Coupon Code: TUEA002 for 2 free weekend days!

We're planning on a day at Universal, so I've been trying to find a good deal on a rental car. This one is awesome. I got a Saturday - Tuesday rental for $69.36 at the AVIS in the Hilton near DTD (so around $20/day). If I could work it out to only need the car for the two "free" days, it would only be around $7 total.
It was going to be around $80 for 2 days at full price, so I'm really excited that I'm getting an extra day for less!

 

[MommaBarb]

Can I just say that I don't know how I've been productive at work? It must be because I have too much to do at home, but it's getting sooooooo close and I have to be very careful not to downplay the time we're spending with Grams and Papa before we go to Disney. They miss them a lot, so it's nice we can see them. (And if they weren't in FL, we wouldn't be going so we probably would NOT be going to Disney.)

 

[dwtwinsmommy]

We leave in 6 days......can't wait. Our family needs a vacation this year more than ever. Staying at the Wilderness Lodge in the villas. We are going to spend more time relaxing at the resort than in the parks but we will hit a few park openings to do some of our favorites. This is the first time our family is staying in a deluxe resort.....I am hoping we love it and don't miss the Coronado.

The Wilderness Lodge Villas are awesome - this will be our 3rd time staying there in a 1bdrm villa - we will be there the 13th! Can't wait! Started packing, taxes are done, Easter gifts just about done! Just have to get through quarter end at work & my DD school play. Then mani pedis & off we go!!!

 

[pwdebbie]

Can I boo hoo here a little? I'm the one that started the thread when we had to cancel our 2012 trip because of our dog. Well, we thought for sure by now she would be dead. She isn't. Dh has reached the place of talking about putting her to sleep (she is blind, deaf, incontinent sometimes, has canine dementia, etc.) but she is his baby and I know he doesn't want to let her go.

Well, today our dd, who lives next door, put their dog down due to kidney failure. The vet came to the house in his mobile vet van and we went over to say goodbye to the dog and to hug our daughter. Afterward, dh really broke down in tears and has had some intense crying all afternoon. He always watched the dog from his living room and went over to pet her when he took our dog outside. Actually, I think he probably loved on her more than dd's family did. Anyway, he is such a mess now. I really can't see us putting our dog down. I told him the other day that we had to make the decision soon because I have to cancel by April 7 (room only).

(Don't get me wrong -- I liked the dog too and I've had some tears. I kept a ball here to play ball with her and I did that this morning for a bit. But this has not affected me nearly the way it has dh. He is just so heartbroken.)

Ok, end of my looking-for-a-listening-ear party. Back to your happy planning talk!

 

[casanova5]

Hey thats what where here for huggzz to you and your family

 

[awfullybigadventure]

Can I boo hoo here a little? I'm the one that started the thread when we had to cancel our 2012 trip because of our dog. Well, we thought for sure by now she would be dead. She isn't. Dh has reached the place of talking about putting her to sleep (she is blind, deaf, incontinent sometimes, has canine dementia, etc.) but she is his baby and I know he doesn't want to let her go.

Well, today our dd, who lives next door, put their dog down due to kidney failure. The vet came to the house in his mobile vet van and we went over to say goodbye to the dog and to hug our daughter. Afterward, dh really broke down in tears and has had some intense crying all afternoon. He always watched the dog from his living room and went over to pet her when he took our dog outside. Actually, I think he probably loved on her more than dd's family did. Anyway, he is such a mess now. I really can't see us putting our dog down. I told him the other day that we had to make the decision soon because I have to cancel by April 7 (room only).

(Don't get me wrong -- I liked the dog too and I've had some tears. I kept a ball here to play ball with her and I did that this morning for a bit. But this has not affected me nearly the way it has dh. He is just so heartbroken.)

Ok, end of my looking-for-a-listening-ear party. Back to your happy planning talk!

So sorry. It must be so hard and you are in a really tough spot, I'm sure. Feeling sad about the dog but anxious about the trip and not wanting to be disrespectful of your husband's feelings. Hugs go out to you and yours.

 

[dwtwinsmommy]

Yes, I'll be filling them once we make our pre-Disney bank run for cash!! Soooon!

Is it expected to leave mousekeepers something everyday? I've always only done it on the last day

 

[pwdebbie]

Is it expected to leave mousekeepers something everyday? I've always only done it on the last day

Yes, leave something daily as you might have different mousekeepers each day.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Is it expected to leave mousekeepers something everyday? I've always only done it on the last day

Exactly as pwdebbie mentioned, you may not have the same person every day, so we leave it daily.

Sometimes you do though, we had the greatest Mousekeeper for our entire 11 days at WL and she was great.

 

[elfling8]

Can I boo hoo here a little? I'm the one that started the thread when we had to cancel our 2012 trip because of our dog.

I'm so sorry. I know exactly how you feel. We didn't travel for probably 2 years because of elderly dogs. We had to make the decision to put both of them down (littermates, one from tumors at 12 and one at 14 because she could no longer walk). It is exceptionally hard when one person knows it is time and the other just can't do it yet.
Hugs to you and belly rubs to your pup.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

pwdebbie I'm so sorry about DDs dog.

I do remember when you needed to cancel last yr.

We had to put our dog down in 2007 it was the hardest thing we've ever done.

Hope your DH feels better soon.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[DisneyBeth94]

I'm from the UK and this will be my first trip to Disney, and the US. I really do not know what to tip house keeping. I want to tip daily for the reasons you have all mentioned but over here in the UK we don't tip. Every so often we'll say "keep the change" and some cafes do have tipping jars but their isn't much expectation from people. So I was just wondering what does everyone else tip house keeping, quick service restaurants, stores? Thanks.

 

[kpmdjm]

I'm from the UK and this will be my first trip to Disney, and the US. I really do not know what to tip house keeping. I want to tip daily for the reasons you have all mentioned but over here in the UK we don't tip. Every so often we'll say "keep the change" and some cafes do have tipping jars but their isn't much expectation from people. So I was just wondering what does everyone else tip house keeping, quick service restaurants, stores? Thanks.

I think $5 a day for housekeeping is good. You don't have to tip at counter service meals or at stores.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I'm from the UK and this will be my first trip to Disney, and the US. I really do not know what to tip house keeping. I want to tip daily for the reasons you have all mentioned but over here in the UK we don't tip. Every so often we'll say "keep the change" and some cafes do have tipping jars but their isn't much expectation from people. So I was just wondering what does everyone else tip house keeping, quick service restaurants, stores? Thanks.

table service meals- about 20%

if you are a large party though ( i think maybe 6 or more they include the tip) which makes it a little easier.

 

[HappyGal]

Deb, I'm so sorry to hear about this. I found an awesome pet sitter to come in every morning while we're gone to give my kitty his meds, freshen food/water and to report back to me everyday so I know he's okay. Also, my sisters and friends will be checking on him every every evening. They have authority to bring him to the vet if they feel he needs help. Between your daughter next door and a pet sitter, would you be able keep your April vacation?

 

[Jays2013]

I suffer from a severe case of Overpacking. Even last time, when I specifically made a conscious effort to NOT overpack......both suitcases ended up over 50 lbs. D'oh! Picture me on the floor at the counter frantically taking stuff out of the suitcases and trying to shove them into our carryons. THEN, that made one of our carry-ons too big to fit into the carryon size thingy, so we ended up having to check that. Still, paying another $20 for the extra checked luggage was better than paying the $100 or whatever they charge you for having an oversized suitcase. This time, I'm prepared. Last time the kid's brought their small suitcases as their carryons (small children's rolling case) with all their plane junk in it. This time, I'm having them put their plane stuff in backpacks and then I will use their rolling carryons to put some of our luggage stuff in. So we'll have 2 suitcases to check and then each of us will have a small case/bag to carryon filled with some of our clothes, etc. And then we'll each have a backpack/small bag as our "personal bag" for stuff we need for the airport/plane. Oy. just DD's custom outfits alone take up just about a whole suitcase so.........

I fear doing this greatly. We haven't flown in a LONG time, and I have no good idea how much I can stuff in our suitcases without going over. We'll be gone for 8 nights/9 days; DH and I each have a suitcase and the boys will share one.

Any advice, anyone?

 

[TJDisneymama]

I fear doing this greatly. We haven't flown in a LONG time, and I have no good idea how much I can stuff in our suitcases without going over. We'll be gone for 8 nights/9 days; DH and I each have a suitcase and the boys will share one.

Any advice, anyone?

Do you have a scale at home so you c an weigh them?