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

[letthewookiewin]

upon further reflextion i've realized something about going to disney world. It's not just wonderful because everything is clean, and the food is great, and the beds are made when you get home. I know those are all AMAZING things but its the simple joy it produces for adults upon entering the happiest place on earth that makes it great. for the time you are there you are not burded by job issues, money issues, and or (God willing) health issues. While you are within those gates of joy you are a kid again. with all the world before you, and no fears to stop you, you can go out there and enjoy everything. After 1 hour buying food, 1 hour at the vet, 3 hours doing laundry, a half hour doing dishes, and spending 2 hours fixing my check book i realized that no fear, anxiety, or worry are three of the many great things about Walt's happy World.

Well said. I tell my husband that even the air feels different once you get on property and it's like they pipe it in from Neverland.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We've book for August! Our Dates are August 17th through the 23rd at POP. This will be our fourth time together as a family, my 8th. Extremely excited!!!

How exciting! No matter how many trips you get under your belt, it's always so exciting!!!

I just booked our next Disney vacation at the Art of Animation resort in the Lion King Family Suite for myself, my mother, my son (12) and my nephew (11). I am so excited!

I used my AAA agent as it was $150 cheaper than via Disney and she swears that I can still book my own dinner reservations and fastpass+ online and that she'll apply any better discounts that come along.

I chose August 3-8, just when the rates get cheaper and hopefully before hurricane season. Although we went in early July last time and the first three days were a monsoon, so I guess you never know.

Regardless of the weather, I can't wait and I'm really looking forward to all that time with my Mom!

Mommy/daughter time is priceless!

I have a secret. I'm planning another trip for August 2014! My DD16 & I just returned last week. No one in my house knows it yet. I knew you people would understand!!

It's so hard to keep a secret! Of our girls 4 trips, we have only done the secret thing once. It was way too difficult!!! Let me know when you have your dates and resort.

Taking the wife,6yr old daughter and 10yr old niece 8/11 to 8/16...Staying in a Nemo suite at AoA....all first timers!!!!!! can't wait!!!

Whoa! Congrats on your first visit!!! So much fun!

Haha! Pick a season already! Make up your mind! Spring or late summer? Haha, just kidding. Either way, it's a great trip to Disney!

August is going to be perfect!!! We really enjoyed April this year and thought we saw an opening in our schedules that would allow us to do April again, but then my hubby being military....well, the only other guy in his office is currently deployed and we found out that he is planning a Disney Cruise with his family that same week in April. Given that its their homecoming celebration, we weren't going to get in the way of that. So back to August it is!!!

The good thing is, we bought airfare...for April....but its through SW so, once August rates come out, I will just switch over to that. Thank God SW makes it so easy!!! But, now at least, my airfare is all purchased!

Yay! Glad you will still be kicking around. This thread would be lost without our leader .

C'mon, August!!!! Hurry up and get here, already!

Well said!

It was well said, but my DH says that going to Disney may just be more powerful than any drug out there. Seriously addictive, and boy! What an expensive habit.

********

I think I've got everybody updated! Please let me know if your information is not on page 1.

Hopefully soon, we will have some park hours, etc... to add to page 1. Then the real planning can begin!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Our August trip has gained a night (now we're up to 11 nights....) AND we added a 3 night CRUISE!!!!!!

So now, we are 8/16 - 8/21 at AoA, then 8/21 - 8/24 on the Disney Dream to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay and then 8/24 - 8/27 at AKL CL!!!!!

We are thrilled!!!! DH and the kids have wanted to do the cruise for awhile but I've been very hesitant but....this is going to be an amazing adventure for our family! So excited!

 

[digiMom]

My DD would like to try US and/or IOA on our August trip. We are staying 16th-24th, but not sure if it'll work. (Never have gone to either one.) We're doing a 3 resort split, so I think well loose some time with that already. Plus I'm getting to the point where I can't go nonstop for days anymore. A one-day trip there would be, what, $500-600 with transport? (We won't have a car.) Maybe I should consider adding a night and renting a car for a couple days... Thanks for letting me "think out loud."

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Our August trip has gained a night (now we're up to 11 nights....) AND we added a 3 night CRUISE!!!!!!

So now, we are 8/16 - 8/21 at AoA, then 8/21 - 8/24 on the Disney Dream to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay and then 8/24 - 8/27 at AKL CL!!!!!

We are thrilled!!!! DH and the kids have wanted to do the cruise for awhile but I've been very hesitant but....this is going to be an amazing adventure for our family! So excited!

Congrats!!! Sounds like an AMAZING time!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

My DD would like to try US and/or IOA on our August trip. We are staying 16th-24th, but not sure if it'll work. (Never have gone to either one.) We're doing a 3 resort split, so I think well loose some time with that already. Plus I'm getting to the point where I can't go nonstop for days anymore. A one-day trip there would be, what, $500-600 with transport? (We won't have a car.) Maybe I should consider adding a night and renting a car for a couple days... Thanks for letting me "think out loud."

If you are considering adding a night to your vacation to accommodate a Universal visit, I strongly encourage you to check out staying onsite at Universal for that extra night to take advantage of the awesome onsite perks for Universal guests (in particular, the free unlimited Express Pass ). The Universal hotels are really, really nice (nicer than the Disney deluxe, IMHO) and the unlimited Express is to die for. Front of the line, every ride, all the time....and no pre-scheduling in advance like FP+.

Just some food for thought! (If you have AAA, you can usually book the Universal hotels at a nice discount, so be sure to inquire about any special rates if you decide to make a reservation).

 

[pigletto]

No fair.. there's already an August thread without me!!!!

I have zero idea what next years plans are. Probably not August because we'll go to the cottage. We were thinking October. I say that's close enough to August to hang out in here with all of you right? Or I could pretend I am going in August. I like this thread.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

No fair.. there's already an August thread without me!!!!

I have zero idea what next years plans are. Probably not August because we'll go to the cottage. We were thinking October. I say that's close enough to August to hang out in here with all of you right? Or I could pretend I am going in August. I like this thread.

Hey stranger....I don't know about the rest of the crew, by my motto is definitely the more, the merrier!!

And maybe we can convince you to book an impromptu trip for, say, the end of August? I hear the Vistana is super nice that time of year .

 

[Pirate princess 2]

No fair.. there's already an August thread without me!!!!

I have zero idea what next years plans are. Probably not August because we'll go to the cottage. We were thinking October. I say that's close enough to August to hang out in here with all of you right? Or I could pretend I am going in August. I like this thread.

Nice to see you again. How's the puppy?

 

[colachdec]

If you are considering adding a night to your vacation to accommodate a Universal visit, I strongly encourage you to check out staying onsite at Universal for that extra night to take advantage of the awesome onsite perks for Universal guests (in particular, the free unlimited Express Pass ). The Universal hotels are really, really nice (nicer than the Disney deluxe, IMHO) and the unlimited Express is to die for. Front of the line, every ride, all the time....and no pre-scheduling in advance like FP+.

Just some food for thought! (If you have AAA, you can usually book the Universal hotels at a nice discount, so be sure to inquire about any special rates if you decide to make a reservation).

This is very helpful! Thanks for the advice

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Goodness, you can hear the crickets chirping in here .

Anyone else patiently (okay, not so patiently ) waiting for flights to be released for August? In 2011, the schedule through to after Labour Day was extended on November 6th. In 2012, it was December 16th. I am hoping it won't be any later than that this year. We fly Jetblue.

In the meantime, we have bought our attraction tickets so that and our accomodations are now covered. We will be doing Discovery Cove this trip with the dolphin swim, plus SeaWorld and Aquatica. We will also use our waterpark annual passes (which will expire just a couple of days before the end of our two-week trip) and go to both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Thinking about adding a day at Busch Gardens (we've never been yet) but otherwise, I think the tickets are all covered.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Goodness, you can hear the crickets chirping in here .

Anyone else patiently (okay, not so patiently ) waiting for flights to be released for August? In 2011, the schedule through to after Labour Day was extended on November 6th. In 2012, it was December 16th. I am hoping it won't be any later than that this year.

In the meantime, we have bought our attraction tickets so that and our accomodations are now covered. We will be doing Discovery Cove this trip with the dolphin swim, plus SeaWorld and Aquatica. We will also use our waterpark annual passes (which will expire just a couple of days before the end of our two-week trip) and go to both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Thinking about adding a day at Busch Gardens (we've never been yet) but otherwise, I think the tickets are all covered.

yeah, it's a bit quiet, huh??

Well, because we had (for a brief time) switched our trip to April, I went ahead and booked airfare for April....now, I just need to wait until August is released so that I can switch my airfare over -- THANK YOU SOUTHWEST FOR NO CHANGE FEES!!!

So, I am keeping an eye out for our dates to be released so I can make the switch.

I am still tweaking our trip a bit. Right now, we will be 5 nights at CR Atrium Club TPV and then 3 nights on the Disney Dream...still debating on whether to add a few more Disney days on at the end...

The cost of the tickets is the real kicker though. If we leave it as is, we are able to just get the 4 day park hopper military tickets for $677 for the four of us, but if I add days I can't use that ticket and will need regular hoppers which will cost us about $1500...and I'm not sure it's worth it just to get two extra days in the park.

I'm just not used to having so little time in the parks...we usually have at least 9 full days, so 4 days is rough! But, my family is more excited about the cruise than the parks, so....We are probably good the way it is....

Then again, we were discussing getting AP's again so....We so loved our AP's....

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

The cost of the tickets is the real kicker though. If we leave it as is, we are able to just get the 4 day park hopper military tickets for $677 for the four of us, but if I add days I can't use that ticket and will need regular hoppers which will cost us about $1500...and I'm not sure it's worth it just to get two extra days in the park.

Ouch! That's a big difference in ticket costs!! Definitely makes it a tough decision on whether to add the extra park days or not. Can you add the waterpark option instead? (or buy the waterpark AP for your other 4 days.....I think we only paid $99 each and that gives us unlimited waterpark visits for an entire year). In the heat of August, it might be something your whole family would be into, give you some extra Disney days, and save you some $$$$ over upgrading your current tickets. Just a thought .

 

[Mousemommy1]

Ouch! That's a big difference in ticket costs!! Definitely makes it a tough decision on whether to add the extra park days or not. Can you add the waterpark option instead? (or buy the waterpark AP for your other 4 days.....I think we only paid $99 each and that gives us unlimited waterpark visits for an entire year). In the heat of August, it might be something your whole family would be into, give you some extra Disney days, and save you some $$$$ over upgrading your current tickets. Just a thought .

Yeah, unfortunately none of us are waterpark fans... so that wouldn't help us.

My family is super excited about the trip the way it is. I'm just having an issue with it only being 9 days...we are so used to 11....but I am sure it will be fine...

 

[sktjcox]

Goodness, you can hear the crickets chirping in here . Anyone else patiently (okay, not so patiently ) waiting for flights to be released for August? In 2011, the schedule through to after Labour Day was extended on November 6th. In 2012, it was December 16th. I am hoping it won't be any later than that this year. We fly Jetblue. In the meantime, we have bought our attraction tickets so that and our accomodations are now covered. We will be doing Discovery Cove this trip with the dolphin swim, plus SeaWorld and Aquatica. We will also use our waterpark annual passes (which will expire just a couple of days before the end of our two-week trip) and go to both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Thinking about adding a day at Busch Gardens (we've never been yet) but otherwise, I think the tickets are all covered.

I notice you're in Canada - I've never flown JetBlue before, but a bunch of people have told me to price it our of Buffalo (I'm in Toronto). I checked June rices and is half the price of flying Air Canada! Worth the drive to me-so I am waiting too for dates at the end of Aug.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I notice you're in Canada - I've never flown JetBlue before, but a bunch of people have told me to price it our of Buffalo (I'm in Toronto). I checked June rices and is half the price of flying Air Canada! Worth the drive to me-so I am waiting too for dates at the end of Aug.

We are closer to Kingston than to Toronto, so Syracuse is a shorter drive for us than Buffalo, though we have flown from both before and far preferred the small airport experience to crazy Pearson . We love, love, LOVE JetBlue . Free advance seat selection, a free checked bag per person, free snacks, tons of leg room, and a TV on each seat . We also like clearing customs at the border in the car rather than having to be at the airport super early to do it there. Even if it were the same price as Air Canada or WestJet, we would still fly JetBlue!!!

Another thing we really like about JB....if the price goes down after booking, they will issue you a credit for the difference in cost on a future flight. And they have a great rewards program (TrueBlue) for earning free flights, too. Just an awesome option for us Canucks!

 

[sktjcox]

We are closer to Kingston than to Toronto, so Syracuse is a shorter drive for us than Buffalo, though we have flown from both before and far preferred the small airport experience to crazy Pearson . We love, love, LOVE JetBlue . Free advance seat selection, a free checked bag per person, free snacks, tons of leg room, and a TV on each seat . We also like clearing customs at the border in the car rather than having to be at the airport super early to do it there. Even if it were the same price as Air Canada or WestJet, we would still fly JetBlue!!! Another thing we really like about JB....if the price goes down after booking, they will issue you a credit for the difference in cost on a future flight. And they have a great rewards program (TrueBlue) for earning free flights, too. Just an awesome option for us Canucks!

Thanks for the info!! I'll definitely try JB!

 

[FancyNancy]

Hello everyone I had originally planned on going in January and November but I got a fabulous deal through a travel agency yesterday for Beach Club!! I'll be there 8/17 through 8/23. This will be my first time going to Disney in August. I've been in July so I'm assuming the weather is similar. Any tips anyone has for me for traveling to Disney in August would be very much appreciated!

 

[dtats]

Originally Posted by Mousemommy1:

Our August trip has gained a night (now we're up to 11 nights....) AND we added a 3 night CRUISE!!!!!!

So now, we are 8/16 - 8/21 at AoA, then 8/21 - 8/24 on the Disney Dream to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay and then 8/24 - 8/27 at AKL CL!!!!!

Sounds like a neat plan! We, too, just added a night at the end of our August 2014 vacation, although we're not doing our cruise in the middle of it (although I wish I thought about doing that when I first made my plans!)

I've a question for you... If you're doing a split stay at WDW (WDW/Cruise/WDW), and you drive there, is there a place to keep your car on property? I'm also assuming that you can catch the Disney bus from WDW to Port Canaveral (and back to WDW again at the end of the cruise)... is that correct?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks for the info!! I'll definitely try JB!

Hey sktjcox,

Just an FYI....Jetblue releases their schedule through to September 2/14 on Sunday, November 17th at 12 noon ET.

Good luck on getting a great flight price!! I will be looking, too!