****Official August 2014 Thread****

[anjalee6]

I have a quick question .. Staying BC 8/20-8/29 .Purchased 8 day PH +WP option... But we are only planning on 1day at TL.. No DQ. Or mini golf so my ? Is...should I just buy a one day ticket for TL instead of adding the WP+ for the entire length of my stay? Can you even do that? Thank you

Since you already have the park hopper option, adding the water parks is only around $25 extra per person whereas, buying a water park ticket starts at $53 per person.

 

[nadira36]

lol, if I were going to move closer to a border, I would definitely pick the Niagara Falls or Gananoque regions vs. Sarnia. Detroit is just so industrial, while the other two areas are so much prettier (Niagara for the Falls and the wineries and Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Gananoque for the 1000 Islands). Maybe you just need to offer your DH a few different choices to win him over to your side .

I totally agree! But Dh works int he refineries - so we'd have to go where the work is.

I have a quick question .. Staying BC 8/20-8/29 .Purchased 8 day PH +WP option... But we are only planning on 1day at TL.. No DQ. Or mini golf so my ? Is...should I just buy a one day ticket for TL instead of adding the WP+ for the entire length of my stay? Can you even do that? Thank you

You Can do it, but it may not be there best option for you.

Since you already have the park hopper option, adding the water parks is only around $25 extra per person whereas, buying a water park ticket starts at $53 per person.

Exactly. As long as you use it just once it more than pays for itself.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I totally agree! But Dh works int he refineries - so we'd have to go where the work is.

Ah, well....there goes that idea!!!!

 

[pigletto]

Well folks, today is the day. Dh's new job starts tomorrow. He will be living with my grandma a few hours away during the week. At least initially. At some point we will probably rent him a small apartment for week nights. He'll come home Friday nights. The mood is a little somber around here. We're a close family and it will be hard on all of us (especially ds9) to not have him home during the week. But the job is an excellent opportunity and very very good for us so we are going to make it work.
Today is his birthday. Tuesday is ds9's birthday and Friday is dd16's birthday. It will be hard to not have Daddy here for ds9's birthday, and he is weepy about that, but I have some fun things planned.
All this to say I am sooooooo glad we have this trip planned and to look forward to. I think it's going to be a great distraction for the kids and a bright spot when we are missing dh.

 

[Heidi K]

Well folks, today is the day. Dh's new job starts tomorrow. He will be living with my grandma a few hours away during the week. At least initially. At some point we will probably rent him a small apartment for week nights. He'll come home Friday nights. The mood is a little somber around here. We're a close family and it will be hard on all of us (especially ds9) to not have him home during the week. But the job is an excellent opportunity and very very good for us so we are going to make it work.
Today is his birthday. Tuesday is ds9's birthday and Friday is dd16's birthday. It will be hard to not have Daddy here for ds9's birthday, and he is weepy about that, but I have some fun things planned.
All this to say I am sooooooo glad we have this trip planned and to look forward to. I think it's going to be a great distraction for the kids and a bright spot when we are missing dh.

I hope the time passes quickly. My DH was unemployed for 15 months recently and we were pretty sure we would end up in a similar situation, although thankfully he found a job in the area before it came to that. It sounds difficult, esp with the birthdays this week.

 

[Sabbysuburbia]

Loving all the great August trip info! Ordered our chilly pads already.

Add me to your August list please!

Sabbysuburbia - POR - 8/4/14 - 8/11/14

 

[Sabbysuburbia]

Loving all the hot August travel info! We already ordered or chilly pads.

Add me to your August list please!
8/4/14 to 8/11/14 - POR - sabbysuburbia

 

[pigletto]

I hope the time passes quickly. My DH was unemployed for 15 months recently and we were pretty sure we would end up in a similar situation, although thankfully he found a job in the area before it came to that. It sounds difficult, esp with the birthdays this week.

Thank you! I live just over the border from you. It sounds like the job situation is the same in both places. He graduated in December, and we got offers (several) from out West, but Ontario was very difficult. So we're grateful he'll just be north of Toronto and not out west.

 

[nadira36]

Well folks, today is the day. Dh's new job starts tomorrow. He will be living with my grandma a few hours away during the week. At least initially. At some point we will probably rent him a small apartment for week nights. He'll come home Friday nights. The mood is a little somber around here. We're a close family and it will be hard on all of us (especially ds9) to not have him home during the week. But the job is an excellent opportunity and very very good for us so we are going to make it work.
Today is his birthday. Tuesday is ds9's birthday and Friday is dd16's birthday. It will be hard to not have Daddy here for ds9's birthday, and he is weepy about that, but I have some fun things planned.
All this to say I am sooooooo glad we have this trip planned and to look forward to. I think it's going to be a great distraction for the kids and a bright spot when we are missing dh.

It sounds so tough on your family! Many people in our area have similar work arrangements and we see the wear on the families. Having something fun to break things up makes a huge difference.

Hopefully the time away will only need to be for a short time and you'll find away for everyone to be in the same house again soon.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Well folks, today is the day. Dh's new job starts tomorrow. He will be living with my grandma a few hours away during the week. At least initially. At some point we will probably rent him a small apartment for week nights. He'll come home Friday nights. The mood is a little somber around here. We're a close family and it will be hard on all of us (especially ds9) to not have him home during the week. But the job is an excellent opportunity and very very good for us so we are going to make it work.
Today is his birthday. Tuesday is ds9's birthday and Friday is dd16's birthday. It will be hard to not have Daddy here for ds9's birthday, and he is weepy about that, but I have some fun things planned.
All this to say I am sooooooo glad we have this trip planned and to look forward to. I think it's going to be a great distraction for the kids and a bright spot when we are missing dh.

Adjustments like that are tough for everyone . Thinking of you guys!

 

[disneygrl704]

Called this morning and got the summer discount! Yay! Had to switch from AOA to POP but that's ok. We also added another day of tickets so our park days will probably change a little bit! I can't wait! 146 days to go!

 

[new york 1]

My ADRs Tues Aug 19---50s Prime Time 5:15
Wed Aug 20---Tonys Town Sq 5;50
Thur Aug 21--Biergarden 5:45
Fri Aug 22--Ohana 5;20
Sat Aug23--T-rex 6:00
Sun Aug 24--Hollywood and Vine 6:00
Mon Aug 25---BOG-----------445

 

[Disneylover99]

Called this morning and got the summer discount! Yay! Had to switch from AOA to POP but that's ok. We also added another day of tickets so our park days will probably change a little bit! I can't wait! 146 days to go!

 

[digiMom]

OK, well obviously I'm just thinking here... I'm trying to think through dining while we're on vacation. The last two times we went, we got the free quick service dining plan and I really liked just ordering meals and not worrying about prices, etc. But this time we're renting DVC instead and staying at 3 different villas. I thought about just buying the dining plan, but I don't think it makes sense for us. First off, I would have to get it 3 times, and I really don't want 12 mugs. Secondly, I don't know how hungry we'll be in August. Lastly, there's not a lot of QS options on the BW.. But here's the problem, my DH will feel like he has to budget every time that we're eating. He saying he won't, but I know he will. He can't help himself; it's just built into him. I would prefer not to think that way and just have fun.

So, we'll have a Disney Redemption Card and the rest will be charge or Disney Gift Cards. Any suggestions on how to just relax and enjoy our meals? Anyone find anything that works? My two thoughts right now are to either use my bands and pay up the night before I check out each stay (I'd have to do that 3 times, though), or to just take those cards around with us and pay that way as we go. I'm not sure which will give us the best "away from worrying about it" feeling...

 

[seenellie81]

OK, well obviously I'm just thinking here... I'm trying to think through dining while we're on vacation. The last two times we went, we got the free quick service dining plan and I really liked just ordering meals and not worrying about prices, etc. But this time we're renting DVC instead and staying at 3 different villas. I thought about just buying the dining plan, but I don't think it makes sense for us. First off, I would have to get it 3 times, and I really don't want 12 mugs. Secondly, I don't know how hungry we'll be in August. Lastly, there's not a lot of QS options on the BW.. But here's the problem, my DH will feel like he has to budget every time that we're eating. He saying he won't, but I know he will. He can't help himself; it's just built into him. I would prefer not to think that way and just have fun. So, we'll have a Disney Redemption Card and the rest will be charge or Disney Gift Cards. Any suggestions on how to just relax and enjoy our meals? Anyone find anything that works? My two thoughts right now are to either use my bands and pay up the night before I check out each stay (I'd have to do that 3 times, though), or to just take those cards around with us and pay that way as we go. I'm not sure which will give us the best "away from worrying about it" feeling...

I totally understand where you are coming from. We have gone without the dining plan and with. It was so nice when we had it. We have always had the regular dining plan with one sit down and that break was so nice to have as well. I have already made some ADR's for this trip. I really think that we are not going to get the plan though this time. We wouldn't always get a dessert but we do because we can with the plan. I also have looked over some counter service menus and I can never finish a whole meal myself so thought this time I may just get a kids meal if I like what they have. With a lot of tossing and turning over this we have decided to put the money on a prepaid Visa card. This way if we have some left then we can bring it home. Plus I am trying to watch what I eat and the dining plan gives you so much food!

 

[digiMom]

I totally understand where you are coming from. We have gone without the dining plan and with. It was so nice when we had it. We have always had the regular dining plan with one sit down and that break was so nice to have as well. I have already made some ADR's for this trip. I really think that we are not going to get the plan though this time. We wouldn't always get a dessert but we do because we can with the plan. I also have looked over some counter service menus and I can never finish a whole meal myself so thought this time I may just get a kids meal if I like what they have. With a lot of tossing and turning over this we have decided to put the money on a prepaid Visa card. This way if we have some left then we can bring it home. Plus I am trying to watch what I eat and the dining plan gives you so much food!

Exactly... we've been trying to find things to use up our credits on the last day. And I eat way more on the plan than off. And the sharing is spot on. I thought about the gift cards because at Target I get 5% off using my card. That's $25 for every $500, but I don't know.. maybe juggling a bunch of gift cards isn't worth the savings? They only come in $50s.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Exactly... we've been trying to find things to use up our credits on the last day. And I eat way more on the plan than off. And the sharing is spot on. I thought about the gift cards because at Target I get 5% off using my card. That's $25 for every $500, but I don't know.. maybe juggling a bunch of gift cards isn't worth the savings? They only come in $50s.

We do the Disney gift cards and love it. Another option is if you have a BJ's membership, those are sold at about a 5% discount too and come in bigger denominations.

 

[Disneylover99]

OK, well obviously I'm just thinking here... I'm trying to think through dining while we're on vacation. The last two times we went, we got the free quick service dining plan and I really liked just ordering meals and not worrying about prices, etc. But this time we're renting DVC instead and staying at 3 different villas. I thought about just buying the dining plan, but I don't think it makes sense for us. First off, I would have to get it 3 times, and I really don't want 12 mugs. Secondly, I don't know how hungry we'll be in August. Lastly, there's not a lot of QS options on the BW.. But here's the problem, my DH will feel like he has to budget every time that we're eating. He saying he won't, but I know he will. He can't help himself; it's just built into him. I would prefer not to think that way and just have fun.
.

I love free dining, but I would not pay for it. When we have free dining we usually order more expensive items or go to buffets when doing table service. We always try to maximize our credits.

Without the dining plan we eat at cheaper table services like Sci-Fi or 50's Prime Time. Fun places where we can share a meal or two or just order appetizers if we want. Not having free dining can be fun too and it helps my waistline because I don't feel the need to maximize my credits.

I know what you mean about your husband though. My husband is exactly the same way. I would maybe just use gift cards to pay for your meals.

 

[IndyDisney]

Exactly... we've been trying to find things to use up our credits on the last day. And I eat way more on the plan than off. And the sharing is spot on. I thought about the gift cards because at Target I get 5% off using my card. That's $25 for every $500, but I don't know.. maybe juggling a bunch of gift cards isn't worth the savings? They only come in $50s.

I'm a fan of DDP, mainly because we're at the point in our life where DD6 is still lower priced and we're doing character dining out the wazoo. If you aren't going to take advantage of the entire plan, pay ala carte, but save as if you're paying for the DDP of your choice. You can do that and get 5% free at Target as you said through gift cards. If you're worried about dealing with all the cards, you could always charge everything to your room then pay it off at checkout with your gift cards. Staying at 3 different resorts will mean you have to do this three times, but it'd be better than carrying all those cards. You can keep them in the safe while you tour until needed.

If you're concerned about sticker shock now that you won't be on the DDP, get familiar with the restaurants you want to eat at using menus online. That way, you'll at least know at which ones you'd likely splurge, and then the ones at which you can make up some ground. It will at least put some of your worries at ease.

Cheers,
Indy

 

[DJFan88]

We do the Disney gift cards and love it. Another option is if you have a BJ's membership, those are sold at about a 5% discount too and come in bigger denominations.

Yah!!! I have BJ's membership. thanks for the tip!