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

[xlsm]

I must have been doing my happy dance somewhere else and forgot to share... We used the discount that came out 3/17 and upgraded to Wilderness Lodge from POFQ for only a $200 price increase. We have a woods view, so I'm going to request northern wing and an upper floor and cross my fingers,eyes,and toes for a teeny tiny itty bitty chance of seeing Wishes.

In reality, I'd stare out the window at a brick wall and be happy if it was the only option, but Disney = Dreaming, right??

70 degrees today...has me thinking of summer. Only 137 days to go. It seems like an eternity, but when I go over the school calendar for the rest of the year, I think it's going to sneak right up on us. I have a feeling June and July are going to be the hardest months b/c there's nothing to distract from the waiting.

 

[Pirate princess 2]

I have no idea of exact measurements (and pretty bad at estimating too!) but I've stayed in all three of those studios. So if you have a specific question about something fitting etc. I might be able to help.

And GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????

Dh's new boss told him that not only can he request vacation time before his probationary period was over, but that he would have quite a bit of flex time accrued by then as well from overtime. He actually said he should put in the request and go with us and that not going on vacation with his wife and kids was silly and they would make it work!!! He did say that one of our days didn`t work because of a meeting dh needs to be there for though. So we`ve tentatively put in his request for the last week of August (would be leaving Sunday instead of the Thursday and coming back the Monday of Labour Day weekend).

So.. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully my agent can move our dates at the Beach Club. If not, we are willing to stay somewhere else. And we aren`t telling the kids. He`s going to bring us to the airport and pull his suitcase out of the trunk

I am so happy for your family! That is great news.

So I have been watching airfare for quite awhile now, and imagine my surprise when on a Friday morning it dropped! Boy did I jump on it. In order to get a good price coming home I had to extend our vacation by a day. Oh darn an extra day of Disney I am dying to tell the kids, but I think I want to save it as a surprise.

 

[digiMom]

OK, after my day I REALLY need my vacation to start now! Let's go! Whose with me?!

 

[Heidi K]

OK, after my day I REALLY need my vacation to start now! Let's go! Whose with me?!

I know! We did talk about our Disney trip around the dinner table tonight, so that was fun.

 

[B's Marie]

Hi! Been off the Dis for a while... LOTS to catch up on!
We are planning to be at YC CL August 17-25 yay!!
Looking forward to catching up and chatting about our upcoming trips!! )

 

[Disneylover99]

OK, after my day I REALLY need my vacation to start now! Let's go! Whose with me?!

I'm with you! Ugh, what a day! Is there a full moon or something?

 

[Mousemommy1]

Just linked our annual pass vouchers to MDE today....is it time to go yet???

 

[jlaalja]

Got our AP Magic Bands today!!

 

[WAHkoMom]

Dh's new boss told him that not only can he request vacation time before his probationary period was over, but that he would have quite a bit of flex time accrued by then as well from overtime. He actually said he should put in the request and go with us and that not going on vacation with his wife and kids was silly and they would make it work!!! He did say that one of our days didn`t work because of a meeting dh needs to be there for though. So we`ve tentatively put in his request for the last week of August (would be leaving Sunday instead of the Thursday and coming back the Monday of Labour Day weekend).

So.. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully my agent can move our dates at the Beach Club. If not, we are willing to stay somewhere else. And we aren`t telling the kids. He`s going to bring us to the airport and pull his suitcase out of the trunk

That is wonderful! Good luck keeping that surprise (I don't think I could!)

 

[nadira36]

And GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????

Dh's new boss told him that not only can he request vacation time before his probationary period was over, but that he would have quite a bit of flex time accrued by then as well from overtime. He actually said he should put in the request and go with us and that not going on vacation with his wife and kids was silly and they would make it work!!! He did say that one of our days didn`t work because of a meeting dh needs to be there for though. So we`ve tentatively put in his request for the last week of August (would be leaving Sunday instead of the Thursday and coming back the Monday of Labour Day weekend).

So.. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully my agent can move our dates at the Beach Club. If not, we are willing to stay somewhere else. And we aren`t telling the kids. He`s going to bring us to the airport and pull his suitcase out of the trunk

That's Awesome!! So happy for you!

Never stayed at CR either--but it seems everything we want to do is there, anyway! Here are our ressies (don't want to bore anybody, but wanted to get them up here so I can make sure everything is right!)

Arrive Aug. 28--dinner Chef Mickey's
Aug. 29-- CRT 8:05 a.m. and MK all day, Pirates League for our son at 3 p.m.
(we're princessing out so much, otherwise)
Aug. 30-- water park, which came with our package-- p.m. California Grill, might send kids to Poly childcare, then zip over to pick them up and check out the Poly progress
Aug. 31--MK, BOG 4:15 p.m.
Sept. 1--Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage

Yep, we're zooming in on MK and enjoying the resort. We always run around too much, imho. We've done dizzying trips with my older kids--they're teens now--and hit all the high spots, and they were a blast, but this is our 5-yr-old twins' first trip and we're just trying to encapsulate the magic for once, esp. with Fantasyland expansion--it's going to take 2 days to do it all anyway. Plus I'm a fan of spending two whole days at MK, esp. when kids are small and just breathe everything in.

I think this is just enough planning--we'll fill in gaps by eating sandwiches in the room, good snacks, etc. esp. since it'll be easy to slip in and out of MK and the resort. I was bummed about not staying club--was hyped up because we'd never done it, and I've never been able to justify the expense--but I decided heck, we'll have club in our room. It has a fridge, right? I can tuck in wine and cheese and cookies and fruit *almost* as well as Club can. Or not. But that's my plan and I'm sticking to it. !

Now the only decision I have to make is: Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon??

Sounds like such a great time! We'll be at California Grill on the 30th as well 7PM reservation. Group of 10 with way more children than adults.

PL is such blast and so is the pirates & Pals Cruise - though it's been c couple years since we did that, we'd certainly go again, but we'd be sure the kiddos were well fed shortly before hand - when we booked, it said 'snacks provided' and this means an ice cream bar or piece of fruit that you don't have time to eat if you want to meet Capt hook/Mr Smee.

 

[MaggieMouse]

Hello my fellow August Travelers! So excited to be going to Disney this year. We haven't been synced 2011 and I miss it so much!

We are going 8/20 - 8/26!!! And we are staying at AKL, our first stay at a deluxe resort. I've always wanted to stay here and this may be the only time we get a chance to!! My son and his friends will be joining us from 8/22 -8/27. He wanted a last hurrah before moving away for the rest of college

We don't have many plans so far but I managed to make a few ADR's:
8/21 Crystal Palace late lunch (1:20) so we can watch the parade afterwards.
8/24 Tusker House breakfast (9:45) (we originally had Chef Mickey's but I changed it to this)
8/25 BOG (yay!) 8:10 Our last night and a great way to end.

Not sure where else we will be eating. My dd wants to eat at Seasons in The Land Pavilion so we'll do that. But I haven't reserved any other ADRs yet. Any suggestions?

Waiting for the 60 days to do our FP+ which is new to me so I hope I do it right! LOL!

 

[bobbie68]

Hello my fellow August Travelers! So excited to be going to Disney this year. We haven't been synced 2011 and I miss it so much!

We are going 8/20 - 8/26!!! And we are staying at AKL, our first stay at a deluxe resort. I've always wanted to stay here and this may be the only time we get a chance to!! My son and his friends will be joining us from 8/22 -8/27. He wanted a last hurrah before moving away for the rest of college

We don't have many plans so far but I managed to make a few ADR's:
8/21 Crystal Palace late lunch (1:20) so we can watch the parade afterwards.
8/24 Tusker House breakfast (9:45) (we originally had Chef Mickey's but I changed it to this)
8/25 BOG (yay!) 8:10 Our last night and a great way to end.

Not sure where else we will be eating. My dd wants to eat at Seasons in The Land Pavilion so we'll do that. But I haven't reserved any other ADRs yet. Any suggestions?

Waiting for the 60 days to do our FP+ which is new to me so I hope I do it right! LOL!

Hi I am doing a split stay between POR and AKL in August. There is a good AKL thread on the resorts board with lots of information on the resort and fellow dissers who are staying there. I have learned a lot.

You should look at the 3 restaurants at AKL. We are doing Boma for dinner It gets really good reviews.

Happy planning.

 

[Mickey_Lynne]

Hello August Disers!!!

I am going with my teenage daughter for our 8th annual trip. For the past 5 years we have been going in August. Some years all 3 of my daughters go (other two are 22 and 21) but this year it's just me and my 17 year old. We love going in August and usually it's the only time of year where it doesn't interfere with school or work. I am a teacher. The first two times we went to Disney World we went in October and September.

This year we are staying at Pop Century and are resort only from August 7th-August 11th. From August 11th to 23rd we have a 12 day dining package with 10 day park passes.

Can't wait!!!!!

 

[Disneylover99]

Hello August Disers!!!

I am going with my teenage daughter for our 8th annual trip. For the past 5 years we have been going in August. Some years all 3 of my daughters go (other two are 22 and 21) but this year it's just me and my 17 year old. We love going in August and usually it's the only time of year where it doesn't interfere with school or work. I am a teacher. The first two times we went to Disney World we went in October and September.

This year we are staying at Pop Century and are resort only from August 7th-August 11th. From August 11th to 23rd we have a 12 day dining package with 10 day park passes.

Can't wait!!!!!

Nice! That is a really long trip! Lucky you!!!!

 

[Christinaxo]

Hello fellow August DISers!

So, I need some advice. We are booked for our WDW trip Aug 25-Sep 3rd. We are COMPLETELY paid off and BOOKED!! (flights, room, tickets, everything lol)
Last week we found out DD 4 has been accepted through a lottery to the best charter school here in Boston. It literally is the cream of the crop, and we are thrilled at the opportunity for the kind of education she will receive at this school. So we went for a tour and during the Q&A afterwards I asked when school started. The principal looked me straight in the eye and said August 11th!! And then she said so if anyone had any vacations or anything like that planned, to take them before that date!

 

[bluecastle]

Hello fellow August DISers!

So, I need some advice. We are booked for our WDW trip Aug 25-Sep 3rd. We are COMPLETELY paid off and BOOKED!! (flights, room, tickets, everything lol)
Last week we found out DD 4 has been accepted through a lottery to the best charter school here in Boston. It literally is the cream of the crop, and we are thrilled at the opportunity for the kind of education she will receive at this school. So we went for a tour and during the Q&A afterwards I asked when school started. The principal looked me straight in the eye and said August 11th!! And then she said so if anyone had any vacations or anything like that planned, to take them before that date!

 

[Heidi K]

I am also a teacher and I was going to recommend working directly with the child's teacher as well. I would think the teacher would be able to give you some work in advance, as well as stay in touch with you through e-mail during the trip if something comes up.

Good luck! Definitely a difficult decision. I'm feeling guilty about my son missing kindergarten orientation, so I know missing 2 weeks would be tough. Once you make your decision, though, don't second guess yourself. You know your family & your daughter best.

 

[Pirate princess 2]

I think this should be between you and your DD's teacher. ( when you find out who it is) and not the administration. I took my DD out of school in October a few times from preschool through 5th grade and each time I gave the teacher a lot of advance notice and we would work out what work she wanted my DD to get done. ( not in preschool of course!) Kindergarten!! Your DD will be there for the first two weeks of school which will give her enough time to learn the routines and get comfortable. It may not be optimal to then take her out of school for 2 weeks, but it will not be the end of the world. If you meet with the teacher and agree to help get your daughter caught up on whatever she has missed, I think it will be fine. Tell the admin that you have non-refundable tickets and that you would lose thousands of dollars.
OTOH, if there is a way to do it without losing money, you may want to consider changing the date. The only reason I would recommend this is that it really depends on the individual child and how she would react to being gone a long time. If she has a personality that could handle the social challenges that might occur because of a long absence at that particular time when kids are adjusting and making friends, then it might not matter. IMHO it is more of a social emotional issue than an academic one. ( for the record, I am a former teacher!)
Good luck!!

I completely agree with you. We took our kids out of school several times during the fall for family vacations. Since DS has started middle school, we have been going during the summer. He would just miss too much work. I also agree that you should talk to the teacher ahead of time and get work your daughter will miss. If your daughter has an extended school break in the fall, maybe you could switch to that. Just a thought if you're really worried. Good luck, all you can do is make the best decision for your family.

 

[Christinaxo]

I think this should be between you and your DD's teacher. ( when you find out who it is) and not the administration. I took my DD out of school in October a few times from preschool through 5th grade and each time I gave the teacher a lot of advance notice and we would work out what work she wanted my DD to get done. ( not in preschool of course!) Kindergarten!! Your DD will be there for the first two weeks of school which will give her enough time to learn the routines and get comfortable. It may not be optimal to then take her out of school for 2 weeks, but it will not be the end of the world. If you meet with the teacher and agree to help get your daughter caught up on whatever she has missed, I think it will be fine. Tell the admin that you have non-refundable tickets and that you would lose thousands of dollars.
OTOH, if there is a way to do it without losing money, you may want to consider changing the date. The only reason I would recommend this is that it really depends on the individual child and how she would react to being gone a long time. If she has a personality that could handle the social challenges that might occur because of a long absence at that particular time when kids are adjusting and making friends, then it might not matter. IMHO it is more of a social emotional issue than an academic one. ( for the record, I am a former teacher!)
Good luck!!

I am also a teacher and I was going to recommend working directly with the child's teacher as well. I would think the teacher would be able to give you some work in advance, as well as stay in touch with you through e-mail during the trip if something comes up.

Good luck! Definitely a difficult decision. I'm feeling guilty about my son missing kindergarten orientation, so I know missing 2 weeks would be tough. Once you make your decision, though, don't second guess yourself. You know your family & your daughter best.

I completely agree with you. We took our kids out of school several times during the fall for family vacations. Since DS has started middle school, we have been going during the summer. He would just miss too much work. I also agree that you should talk to the teacher ahead of time and get work your daughter will miss. If your daughter has an extended school break in the fall, maybe you could switch to that. Just a thought if you're really worried. Good luck, all you can do is make the best decision for your family.

Thanks guys! I feel a little better already! It helps that my daughter is really a confident, social, child. She adapts great in different environments, and really is a quick learner. I think my main issue is if in those 2 weeks she will be WAY behind. I have never pulled my kids out of school before, like ever, so not knowing what to expect always gets me! I will meet her teacher in May so I guess I can wait to talk to her. I would lose $ because even though we have trip insurance, the flights have gone up so much since I bought the tickets! Also we got a really great end of August deal through a TA and that won't be available for the new dates if we had to change. I guess I will just wait and see. I have complete confidence in DD coming back and fitting in and catching up. I just am nervous about how the school will feel about it! Hopefully she can show them in the first 2 weeks that she is perfectly capable and then it won't be too tough. Thanks for the advice though! You guys are great!

 

[lovin'fl]

Changes to my Aug plans. We added a day so 8/12-15 at SSR and 8/15-17 at BWV and 8/17-22 at HHI. We also moved our Raglan Road ADR to 8/12 at 7pm and booked the Plaza for 8/13 at 6:35pm. And park changes:
8/12- DD
8/13- water park AM and MK PM
8/14- AK AM and MK PM
8/15- same
8/16- no water park, just Epcot