*****Official October 2011 Thread*****

[sjs314]

I can't believe how expensive Southwest is right now!! I ended up booking flights home on Jet Blue today for our trip. So now we are flying down on Southwest and flying home on Jet Blue! I hope it's not a bad idea, but I'm familiar with both airlines and it shouldn't be a problem, unless I get confused and forget where I'm supposed to be!

Sounds like something I might do if flying two different airlines

Sooooo glad I booked my flights a few months ago. Got round trip from Newark on Continental for $164 and now they are up to $320!!!!!!

Wow you really got a super deal !

Yep, when the hours came out on Southwest yesterday I knew it was a done deal! We're DRIVING. 17 hours.

I feel your pain, we drove our first few trips, 20
hrs each way.
We already bought our tiix with JB first day they came out and paid less than last years tix but me and DH were discussing what might happen with gas prices in the coming months, we paid $3.60 a gal yesterday at BJ which was cheaper by about 12 cents compared to the other stations in the area.
Air fare maybe unreachable for a lot of people planning trips this year but the cost of gas is also scarey

 

[Brocktoon]

I had the best luck the past few years out of Philly flying with US Air. You don't always get the cheapest price, but you usually get a decent price, get to pre-select your seat, and book well in advance of serval other carriers booking windows.

I booked my October flight over a month ago for $190 round trip. Prices have gone up a lot over the past few weeks. I just checked and the same RT is now going for $320

 

[jjiillee]

Anyone think the prices will come down in the summer? I am still waiting for Airtran but I will prb just book as soon as it comes out but i keep wondering if it will go down again.

 

[exwdwcm]

Yep, when the hours came out on Southwest yesterday I knew it was a done deal! We're DRIVING. 17 hours.

yuck, so sorry! how long is the drive for you?

I had the best luck the past few years out of Philly flying with US Air. You don't always get the cheapest price, but you usually get a decent price, get to pre-select your seat, and book well in advance of serval other carriers booking windows.

I booked my October flight over a month ago for $190 round trip. Prices have gone up a lot over the past few weeks. I just checked and the same RT is now going for $320

wow, great deal at $190!!! I am glad at least a few of us are getting some decent prices.

Anyone think the prices will come down in the summer? I am still waiting for Airtran but I will prb just book as soon as it comes out but i keep wondering if it will go down again.

i don't know either.........i guess we have to wait and see. I am just going to hold off on booking for now.

 

[RookieDisneyMom]

I would love to join the discussion. We are a family of four. Me--DH--DS (10)--and DS (3). This will be our 2nd trip to Disney. We don't have a hotel or resort yet (still trying to find a great resort at the best price). We will be doing the MNSSHP (our first time). Our plans are to spend 2 days at MK, 1 day at HS, 1 day at Epcot, and 1 day at AK.

 

[jjiillee]

To those of you who have done the MNSSHP before, did you eat dinner before going to the party? I am trying to decide if we want to do a ts meal that day or just grab something there. Are there CS places open during the party? I am thinking we are going to the party on the thurs of our trip, if the dates on my touring plans site are going to be correct. I am also thinking that will be our Animal Kingdom day. Last year it didn't take us very long there so I figured it would give us time to go back and rest before the party.
Just trying to figure out meals b4 it's time to make ADRs.

 

[Brocktoon]

Anyone think the prices will come down in the summer? I am still waiting for Airtran but I will prb just book as soon as it comes out but i keep wondering if it will go down again.

I think the real wildcard in the airfare prices will be the price of oil. This is the highest I've seen introductory prices in years.

 

[exwdwcm]

I would love to join the discussion. We are a family of four. Me--DH--DS (10)--and DS (3). This will be our 2nd trip to Disney. We don't have a hotel or resort yet (still trying to find a great resort at the best price). We will be doing the MNSSHP (our first time). Our plans are to spend 2 days at MK, 1 day at HS, 1 day at Epcot, and 1 day at AK.

welcome! sounds like a perfect plan. hope you find a great resort choice soon!

To those of you who have done the MNSSHP before, did you eat dinner before going to the party? I am trying to decide if we want to do a ts meal that day or just grab something there. Are there CS places open during the party? I am thinking we are going to the party on the thurs of our trip, if the dates on my touring plans site are going to be correct. I am also thinking that will be our Animal Kingdom day. Last year it didn't take us very long there so I figured it would give us time to go back and rest before the party.
Just trying to figure out meals b4 it's time to make ADRs.

We haven't done MNSSHP, but when we do MVMCP, we usually take a nice long break that afternoon- make sure the kiddo gets in a nice long nap, so he can stay up late. He was able to make it until about 11:30 last year (at 3yo). We typically go into the party at like 5 or 6 and eat quick service at Cosmic Ray's. We don't want a long sit down meal taking away any potential time from the party. Unless you do something right at 5pm for dinner (or a late lunch), then I'd just do QS.

this year, i am going to attempt to get CRT for dinner right at 5pm or even earlier if they let me (4:45?). That way, we are in the MK already, in FL and can eat and be out before the party starts at 7. I can't imagine the meal taking more than 2 hours. We've had them take 90 minutes, but that would still get us out in time.

if you want to line up for any special characters or anything early, you have to take that into consideration too. i know for the christmas party, folks were lining up for the dwarves by 6:30.

I think the real wildcard in the airfare prices will be the price of oil. This is the highest I've seen introductory prices in years.

yep, it all comes down to the price of oil. DH and I are waiting it out, i think it will come down a bit, so we will hold out and see. He even mentioned driving as a possibility if we can't find a decent flight, but the drive from Dallas is rather long and I'd prefer not to!

 

[Pixiedust530]

Yep, when the hours came out on Southwest yesterday I knew it was a done deal! We're DRIVING. 17 hours.

We are driving too....well some of us.

I never even considered flying. There are 3 of us, and even if I could find RT as cheap as $200 per person that' still $600. It's just NOT in the budget. We have a 14 hour drive and my car gets pretty good gas mileage so it was a NO BRAINER! We will drive straight through and forego the cost of an extra room on the way down and way back.

My grandparents on the other hand are most likely flying. They don't feel like they can, nor do they want, to drive straight through. That means an extra day on the way down AND the way back and 2 extra nights of hotel stay. For just the 2 of them its not super cost effective. I have been searching for good deals on airfare for them and when I told my grandma the introductory rates for SW she was floored! We are playing the waiting game right now!

 

[Pixiedust530]

I GOT A PIN CODE! I GOT A PIN CODE! WOOHOO! YIPPEE! FREE DINING!





x





x






x






x





x
OH...did I mention it's for travel dates from 4/23/11 to 8/13/11?

I will keep my fingers crossed for another one....one that I can actually use!

 

[jjiillee]

I GOT A PIN CODE! I GOT A PIN CODE! WOOHOO! YIPPEE! FREE DINING!
:banana
OH...did I mention it's for travel dates from 4/23/11 to 8/13/11?

I will keep my fingers crossed for another one....one that I can actually use!

I was sooo excited for you until I read the bottom! Still exciting to get a pin code! Hope you get another one for the right dates this time!

 

[Agent4699]

This message board is great! It has such great tips. My boyfriend and I are coming for our second trip (first was last March for the Princess 1/2 Marathon), to run the Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon together. Staying at the Beach Club Oct. 1-6! We are really looking forward to it. Any advice for October is much appreciated

 

[Nermel9]

To those of you who have done the MNSSHP before, did you eat dinner before going to the party? I am trying to decide if we want to do a ts meal that day or just grab something there. Are there CS places open during the party? I am thinking we are going to the party on the thurs of our trip, if the dates on my touring plans site are going to be correct. I am also thinking that will be our Animal Kingdom day. Last year it didn't take us very long there so I figured it would give us time to go back and rest before the party.
Just trying to figure out meals b4 it's time to make ADRs.

I was wondering the same thing! I've done MVMCP twice, and both times we've eaten at the Poly. 2 years ago, I wanted to get to MK a little early, before 7 and we did, and it was fine. This year, we ate at 'Ohana, our ADR was for 5 and we got right to MK as the party was starting! I wanted to get there by 6:30 to get in line for the Dwarves, and that didn't work out, so I ended up spending almost an hour waiting to see them!

Now I'm not sure what to do, I'm either going to make an early dinner ADR inside the park, either Tony's or Liberty Tree Tavern, so we're already there and we don't have to factor in travel time. I really don't know yet, but I need to figure it out soon, I make ADR's in 2 and half weeks!

 

[exwdwcm]

I was wondering the same thing! I've done MVMCP twice, and both times we've eaten at the Poly. 2 years ago, I wanted to get to MK a little early, before 7 and we did, and it was fine. This year, we ate at 'Ohana, our ADR was for 5 and we got right to MK as the party was starting! I wanted to get there by 6:30 to get in line for the Dwarves, and that didn't work out, so I ended up spending almost an hour waiting to see them!

Now I'm not sure what to do, I'm either going to make an early dinner ADR inside the park, either Tony's or Liberty Tree Tavern, so we're already there and we don't have to factor in travel time. I really don't know yet, but I need to figure it out soon, I make ADR's in 2 and half weeks!

bummer on last year! That is my worry, that the meal would take too long- by the time you factor in checking in, waiting and actually eating/paying, it can end up being 2 hours. If you are outside the MK, even at the Poly, the monorail time adds a little too. We are going to attempt CRT since we want to eat there and this is the only night it seems to work out well do it (party night- Tuesday). So let's hope i can get the earliest dinner seating possible. We've enjoyed LTT too. here's wishing us all good luck to get what we want pre-party!

i can tell you one year at MVMCP, we arrived about 6pm and headed to Cosmic Ray's for dinner. As we were leaving, about 6:45, they had CMs already outside, checking for wristbands and not allowing guests into Cosmic Ray's unless they had on a wristband! it was kind of nice knowing they were checking though.

 

[KEPE]

Niiki, WOW, thats all I can say. You got an awesome deal out of Newark. Now the prices are much higher. I have to fly out of JFK because it will be significantly cheaper.

I think many of us have the same plan, I want to do CRT before MNSSHP too. I also plan to do BBB before that so DD is dressed . I was thinking no park in the day. Breakfast, pool, a nap and then BBB by 3:00, 5:00 for CRT and hopefully done and ready to party by 7. With a nice relaxing morning DD should be able to make it fairly late (fingers crossed this all works out). Now if they would only release the MNSSHP dates BEFORE I do my ADR's!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Niiki, WOW, thats all I can say. You got an awesome deal out of Newark. Now the prices are much higher. I have to fly out of JFK because it will be significantly cheaper.

I know! I seriously booked it in like December or January...before I even booked the room! I knew prices would go up because it's Rosh Hashannah weekend and I thought as soon as the airlines caught on that it's a holiday weekend, prices would skyrocket. So glad I did!!

 

[Nermel9]

So I know MNSSHP dates or October hours are not out yet, but I'm going crazy here, waiting to plan out my days, so I was looking at last year's October hours, and they are really stressing me out! If they are the same as last year, that means Sunday 10/2 will have DHS EMH's, which I can't miss AND MNSSHP. Then, apparently there wasn't a Halloween party last year on the first Tuesday of the month? So I guess Touring plans is assuming it's the same this year, and there won't be a party Tuesday 10/4? Does anyone know why?

I was kind of hoping to do parties Tuesday and Thursday. I LOVE DHS magic hours and don't want to go to the party on that Sunday! I could go Thursday and Friday, but who wants to go 2 days in a row? I hope I'm just getting ahead of myself by looking at last year's hours and they either change DHS EMH night, or have a Halloween party on Tuesday!

Ughhhh, I wish they announce the dates and the hours already!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

So I know MNSSHP dates or October hours are not out yet, but I'm going crazy here, waiting to plan out my days, so I was looking at last year's October hours, and they are really stressing me out! If they are the same as last year, that means Sunday 10/2 will have DHS EMH's, which I can't miss AND MNSSHP. Then, apparently there wasn't a Halloween party last year on the first Tuesday of the month? So I guess Touring plans is assuming it's the same this year, and there won't be a party Tuesday 10/4? Does anyone know why?

I was kind of hoping to do parties Tuesday and Thursday. I LOVE DHS magic hours and don't want to go to the party on that Sunday! I could go Thursday and Friday, but who wants to go 2 days in a row? I hope I'm just getting ahead of myself by looking at last year's hours and they either change DHS EMH night, or have a Halloween party on Tuesday!

Ughhhh, I wish they announce the dates and the hours already!

You are freaking out!!!! You sound like me so I totally understand what you're going through. Just breathe! There is NOTHING you can do until the October hours are out, at least! Then you'll have a little better idea when the parties are.

That said, I thought parties were mostly Tuesdays and Fridays....

 

[sjs314]

So I know MNSSHP dates or October hours are not out yet, but I'm going crazy here, waiting to plan out my days, so I was looking at last year's October hours, and they are really stressing me out! If they are the same as last year, that means Sunday 10/2 will have DHS EMH's, which I can't miss AND MNSSHP. Then, apparently there wasn't a Halloween party last year on the first Tuesday of the month? So I guess Touring plans is assuming it's the same this year, and there won't be a party Tuesday 10/4? Does anyone know why?

I was kind of hoping to do parties Tuesday and Thursday. I LOVE DHS magic hours and don't want to go to the party on that Sunday! I could go Thursday and Friday, but who wants to go 2 days in a row? I hope I'm just getting ahead of myself by looking at last year's hours and they either change DHS EMH night, or have a Halloween party on Tuesday!

Ughhhh, I wish they announce the dates and the hours already!

I know there are more MNSSHP per week the closer you get to Halloween (4 X) as opposed to earlier in the month when it is 2x a week? I think

I did a tentative schedule based on last years schedule, knowing I may have to change a few things around when the official October 2011 park hours are posted but it is a start.

I am waiting to for the "Eat to the Beat" performers lineup to come out too!

We are doing the DxDP and trying a lot of places for the first time. plus plan on using our snack credits at the F&W Kiosks


Wed 10/19 Arrive Epcot lunch Via Napoli / DTD dinner Raglan Road

Thu 10/20 breakfast YC Cap't Grille/DHS lunch Brown Derby F!Pkg/BC dinner Cape May then back to DHS for F!

Fri 10/21 Epcot breakfast Akershus/lunch Le Chefs de France/'Poly Ohana dinner/ MK MNSSHP

Sat 10/22 AKL breakfast Boma/AK /Epcot lunch Marrakesh/dinner Biergarten

Sun 10/23 MK breakfast Crystal Palace/Epcot lunch Le Cellier/dinner San Angel

Mon 10/24 BC breakfast Cape May/ Epcot lunch Teppan Edo/dinner Rose & Crown

Tues 10/25 Depart

 

[Agent4699]

Sooooo glad I booked my flights a few months ago. Got round trip from Newark on Continental for $164 and now they are up to $320!!!!!!

Wow Nikki, that's great! I'm flying out of Newark too and I got $190 RT last month.