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

[Rorey]

I used a 20% off pin for a garden view room at BC and it saved us $522 off of rack rate so it sorta sounds like you were given 20% AAA discount. I have never used AAA myself but I have seen it mentioned it is usually 10-20% discount.

Anyway congrates on being able to book BC.

Thanks Sheila, this makes me feel better! I just hope they can move my current ressie over with ADR's without too much hassle. Though I told DH I totally won't mind remaking my ADR's if it saved us $500 lol.

 

[MARsMama]

here is a link that offers what is on site vs. off site. Many more companies moved on site in the past couple of years.

http://www.orlandoairports.net/transport/rental_cars.htm

there is also a rental car facility on WDW property, near the MK- as you drive out, near the gas station and I believe you can also rent from the Dolphin/Swan too (we looked at all options).from mousesavers:
National/Alamo has locations on the Walt Disney World property at the Car Care Center (near MK), Dolphin Hotel near Disney's BoardWalk and Buena Vista Palace near Downtown Disney.

• If you are staying at a Disney resort, the easiest option is to rent a car from the Walt Disney World Car Care Center, which is operated by Alamo (location ORLR72) and National (location ORLR02). The Car Care Center offers a shuttle that will pick you up from any Disney hotel and take you to the Center to pick up your car. The shuttle will also drop you off at your Disney hotel after you return your car. If you wish, call the Car Care Center up to 24 hours in advance and arrange for them to send a shuttle for you. Alternatively, go to the front desk of your Disney resort about 30 minutes before your pickup time and ask them to call the Car Care Center shuttle. The phone number of the Car Care Center is (407) 824-3470.
• Another location for Alamo and National is Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel (Alamo location ORLR74; National location ORLR13), located on Disney property. From any of the theme parks or Downtown Disney, take a Disney bus to the Dolphin. The Alamo/National office at the Dolphin keeps short hours, but you can drop off your car to the hotel's valets after hours. The phone number of Dolphin's Alamo/National desk is (407) 934-4930.
• Yet another location for National is Buena Vista Palace (location ORLR03), near Downtown Disney. Take a Disney bus from any of the Disney resorts to Downtown Disney. Get off at the Marketplace stop, then walk across the street to Buena Vista Palace. The phone number of Buena Vista Palace's National desk is (407) 827-63

• 
  
  Thanks so much for the info, I really appreciate it

 

[lmc318]

Well, I got the quote and the package as a whole is $500 less than the Disney site, but not 35% off the room (more like 8% off the entire package). I'm wondering if the up to 35% is for a room only, or it doesn't cover our dates (though I see nothing about dates in the fine print). I received the quote after their business hours so I have to wait to call them tomorrow morning and get some questions answered. DH really wants the DxDP for the convince of having the food paid for up front, and I'm guessing you can't get the Dinning Plan separate outside of a package. But right now he's saying we can upgrade to BC. I just don't want to pay crazy amounts of $$$ for this trip, so I think he would feel much better if we got a PIN later on.

Yeah the AAA site does say up to 35% so maybe that's for special circumstances. It's good you got the discount though, that's great! I'm sure something else will come out before October too!

 

[CHCH99]

Hi everyone and thanks for the welcome and advice!

I think we will survive at a value resort - I had no idea when I asked our travel agent to book us in there. I wanted to stay at a disney resort and my son chose that as he loves his sports. Anyway there is only the 2 of us and I intend to be at the parks as much as possible. Besides we have already spent a small fortune on this trip as I didn't want to fly economy long haul and arrive feeling like I have just stepped out of a sardine can and we have taken a large balcony cabin on our RCI cruise.

I have looked at a number of the menus - wow! starts to make it all feel real when you start looking at those type of details. Booked Fantasmic Hollywood and vine package for the 13th but couldn't get a dessert party booking yet. Will keep trying!

We will also try for Sci Fi but not sure which day yet. Just wondering how far it is between parks and what the transport is like. Would you go to one park during the day and then a different park for dinner? Also need to make a booking for dinner on the night of our MNSSHP - assume we should book dining at MK for this night but what sort of time should we book for so as not to miss anything at MNSSHP?

Still have alot of research to do it seems!!

 

[exwdwcm]

Rorey- hope you get the great discount stuff all worked! i would guess youldn't need to rebook your ADRs, i think i've had friends book, cancel and rebook a package (for discounts), but the ADRs were fine- just keep and use that original confirmation number to search them by. i would print them all out so you have all the ADR confirmations handy.

Hi everyone and thanks for the welcome and advice!

I think we will survive at a value resort - I had no idea when I asked our travel agent to book us in there. I wanted to stay at a disney resort and my son chose that as he loves his sports. Anyway there is only the 2 of us and I intend to be at the parks as much as possible. Besides we have already spent a small fortune on this trip as I didn't want to fly economy long haul and arrive feeling like I have just stepped out of a sardine can and we have taken a large balcony cabin on our RCI cruise.

I have looked at a number of the menus - wow! starts to make it all feel real when you start looking at those type of details. Booked Fantasmic Hollywood and vine package for the 13th but couldn't get a dessert party booking yet. Will keep trying!

We will also try for Sci Fi but not sure which day yet. Just wondering how far it is between parks and what the transport is like. Would you go to one park during the day and then a different park for dinner? Also need to make a booking for dinner on the night of our MNSSHP - assume we should book dining at MK for this night but what sort of time should we book for so as not to miss anything at MNSSHP?

Still have alot of research to do it seems!!

you should be fine in a value just the two of you, especially if you aren't planning on being in the room much- since your son is older, you should be just fine being on the go all the time (or the pool!). Transportation is fairly good- but we just prefer to rent a car. It all depends on your timing, you could walk right up and have an empty bus waiting, or you could wait 20 minutes, have a full bus pull up and have to wait on another. i would say average is 5-15 minutes probably. I think they try and have you wait no longer than 20 minutes, but as many on here will tell you, you could end up waiting longer during peak transportation times. We go to one park in the am, take a break in the room midday, then hit another park at night. It works fine for us.

MNSSHP starts at 7pm, but you can get in at 4pm with your party ticket. Folks will start lining up at 6:30pm for some of the special characters (like the 7 dwarves). So just depends on what you want to see- if you want to see special characters and line up early, plan to be ready to do so by 6:30 maybe. If you don't care about that, then just plan to be done eating and in the MK by 7pm. We have dinner ressies at 5pm at Ohana at the Poly on our party night. We will eat, take the monorail over to MK and hopefully be there by 7pm. I would try and make your ressies for 5pm if you can- either in the MK or in one of the monorail resorts helps. or just do fast food that night instead?

 

[lmc318]

Hi everyone and thanks for the welcome and advice!

I think we will survive at a value resort - I had no idea when I asked our travel agent to book us in there. I wanted to stay at a disney resort and my son chose that as he loves his sports. Anyway there is only the 2 of us and I intend to be at the parks as much as possible. Besides we have already spent a small fortune on this trip as I didn't want to fly economy long haul and arrive feeling like I have just stepped out of a sardine can and we have taken a large balcony cabin on our RCI cruise.

I have looked at a number of the menus - wow! starts to make it all feel real when you start looking at those type of details. Booked Fantasmic Hollywood and vine package for the 13th but couldn't get a dessert party booking yet. Will keep trying!

We will also try for Sci Fi but not sure which day yet. Just wondering how far it is between parks and what the transport is like. Would you go to one park during the day and then a different park for dinner? Also need to make a booking for dinner on the night of our MNSSHP - assume we should book dining at MK for this night but what sort of time should we book for so as not to miss anything at MNSSHP?

Still have alot of research to do it seems!!

If you're going to be in the parks all the time, then a value seems perfect for you, really! With just the two of you, you'll have plenty of room when you're actually there. Plus I hear the values have great pools!

As for switching parks, yes. And if I remember correctly, you have the park hoppers, right? I would most definitely do two parks in one day, otherwise there's no point in the park hopper, really. We usually plan one park in the morning, then go back to the resort for rest, then another park at night. It switches things up a bit and gives you a little more freedom with the parks when choosing your dining. That way you don't have to spend the entire day in the park you plan on eating in. So I would say definitely plan on more than one park in a day! You don't have to, but it's nice to have the option. Plus with yours son being 11, you can just leave when you want and go somewhere else without worrying about naps or anything (unless you want one! ).

For transportation between parks it depends. It's a quick monorail ride from MK to Epcot and back. AK and DTD seem to take the longest to get to, in my opinion, unless you're staying at a resort close to either. ASSports is close to AK it seems, so that'll be a quick trip for you. I would plan for an hour to an hour and a half travel time if you're going from resort to resort, just to make sure (unless you're going from MK to Epcot) if you're switching for a reservation. We usually go back to our resort first, so I always judge travel time from there.

 

[avic77]

We are doing things separately. We rented DVC points, we were going to buy our tickets thru Undercover Tourist, but got them thru the YES program instead, and are doing our food OOP.

It sounds like the AAA thing is a free dining discount?

What YES class are you going to?
We are going Oct 11 Ocean Discoveries for little ones and the Captivating memories for the 17 yr old

 

[tlenzendorf]

What YES class are you going to?
We are going Oct 11 Ocean Discoveries for little ones and the Captivating memories for the 17 yr old

We are doing the 10/25 Wild by Design class. I wish that they had an Ocean Discoveries class while we were there, but the kids will love this one!

 

[Rorey]

Rorey- hope you get the great discount stuff all worked! i would guess youldn't need to rebook your ADRs, i think i've had friends book, cancel and rebook a package (for discounts), but the ADRs were fine- just keep and use that original confirmation number to search them by. i would print them all out so you have all the ADR confirmations handy.

So my saga continues (but in a good way). I talked tot he AAA agent today, who was amazing and she's transferring everything for me and it should be completed by Monday and then I will officially be at Beach Club. She said we don't have to change my ADR's and they will all move over no problem. She did say I would NOT be able to see my new reservation on the Disney site, but I know of AAA people who can, so I'm going to try a "find your reservation" search when I get my confirmation. She was able to move my Disney insurance over too, so I wouldn't be out that money and able to upgrade us to a Garden Room at BC for free (because they were out of standards). Thank you everyone for listening to my freak out yesterday. lol

 

[sjs314]

So my saga continues (but in a good way). I talked tot he AAA agent today, who was amazing and she's transferring everything for me and it should be completed by Monday and then I will officially be at Beach Club. She said we don't have to change my ADR's and they will all move over no problem. She did say I would NOT be able to see my new reservation on the Disney site, but I know of AAA people who can, so I'm going to try a "find your reservation" search when I get my confirmation. She was able to move my Disney insurance over too, so I wouldn't be out that money and able to upgrade us to a Garden Room at BC for free (because they were out of standards). Thank you everyone for listening to my freak out yesterday. lol

I am so happy for you that it all worked out and you will be staying at the BC.

By the way from the count on your ticker it looks as if we will be there the same time

See you on the BC thread

 

[avic77]

DH said we can travel in on Sat and stay off site the 1st night so we can be in Disney early Sunday 10/9
So how do you do check in that first day if you are arriving around 9am? Do you park at the resort, leave luggage at bellhop, and go to parks? or Do you wait around resort? Check in is at 3 but we will be there around 9am

 

[ociana]

Hello everyone! We are all booked up for our first trip to WDW 10/13-10/23.

I had posted this over on the Happy Dance forum's Official Oct 2011 thread but will repeat here for this thread.

Been a lurker here on the boards for years now in our planning for Disneyland trips (we are west coasters). Those were always puny cheapy trips with 2-3 park days and a stay at motel 6, so they weren't worthy of me registering and posting. But this...this magnificent extravaganza of a vacation that we have planned is WELL worth posting about. (can you tell I am excited?)

Our "we" consists of my DH, 11 and 13 year old sons and me - the planner of the group. Here are all the gory details of my planning - please let me know if I make a misstep since I have never done this trip before!

We are flying overnight, arriving about noon. A lovely FL Tours Towncar will greet us at the airport and will stop at a grocery store on the drive. Is it odd to be excited about someone holding a sign with our name on it to greet us?

Where: Dolphin Resort - 6 nights on the summer sensations plan and 4 nights govt rate. We got a resort view, but my fingers are crossed for an upgrade.

Park Plan: We have a day slotted for each park with two flexible days. We are heading to Universal on Tues 10/18 and Wed 10/19 (just renting a car those two days). We are big rides people, so our focus each park is rides - using the mid afternoon busier time for shows and snacking.

ADRs:
Sat 10/15: 8:15am Tusker House
Sat 10/15: 2pm Yak and Yeti
Fri 10/21: 1:10 SciFi Drive In
Fri 10/21: 7:15 Hoop Dee Do

Extras:
Thurs 10/13: Mickey's Halloween Party (not booked yet - its our arrival day and still not sure)
Fri 10/21: YES Program Production Arts & Sciences class at Hollywood Studios.
Fri 10/21: 10pm Haunted Carriage Ride

Is it October yet?

 

[PoohNFriends]

Ugh, There's another "official" October thread? I'm sticking with this one because I don't feel like trying to catch-up and join another one in addition to this one, 2 MNSSHP's, and eventually a F&W. Kind-of wish the DIS didn't have multiple places to start the month threads.
Offically, this one is my official "official" Oct 2011 thread !

 

[lmc318]

So my saga continues (but in a good way). I talked tot he AAA agent today, who was amazing and she's transferring everything for me and it should be completed by Monday and then I will officially be at Beach Club. She said we don't have to change my ADR's and they will all move over no problem. She did say I would NOT be able to see my new reservation on the Disney site, but I know of AAA people who can, so I'm going to try a "find your reservation" search when I get my confirmation. She was able to move my Disney insurance over too, so I wouldn't be out that money and able to upgrade us to a Garden Room at BC for free (because they were out of standards). Thank you everyone for listening to my freak out yesterday. lol

Great news! And you might be able to find your reservations online. Give it a bit of time and if they don't show up the first time, try again. I tried mine and they didn't show up at first and then I tried again and they showed up that time about 3 weeks later.

 

[LJD2143]

Ugh, There's another "official" October thread? I'm sticking with this one because I don't feel like trying to catch-up and join another one in addition to this one, 2 MNSSHP's, and eventually a F&W. Kind-of wish the DIS didn't have multiple places to start the month threads.
Offically, this one is my official "official" Oct 2011 thread !

ITA!

My rationale is:
1) This thread is in the "Disney Resorts" forum so it's a countdown for those staying at a Disney Resort. The other thread is in the "Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies" forum so it's a countdown for those visiting the Parks? Just a thought?.......

2) The list on the other thread has not been updated since March.

3) This thread has way more posts and views!

 

[lmc318]

Ugh, There's another "official" October thread? I'm sticking with this one because I don't feel like trying to catch-up and join another one in addition to this one, 2 MNSSHP's, and eventually a F&W. Kind-of wish the DIS didn't have multiple places to start the month threads.
Offically, this one is my official "official" Oct 2011 thread !

ITA!

My rationale is:
1) This thread is in the "Disney Resorts" forum so it's a countdown for those staying at a Disney Resort. The other thread is in the "Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies" forum so it's a countdown for those visiting the Parks? Just a thought?.......

2) The list on the other thread has not been updated since March.

3) This thread has way more posts and views!

Yeah, if I remember correctly this one was started because the other one wasn't updated for a while. I think they are both active now, but I don't know how updated the other one is. I look at both but am far more active on this one.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Hello everyone! We are all booked up for our first trip to WDW 10/13-10/23.

I had posted this over on the Happy Dance forum's Official Oct 2011 thread but will repeat here for this thread.

Been a lurker here on the boards for years now in our planning for Disneyland trips (we are west coasters). Those were always puny cheapy trips with 2-3 park days and a stay at motel 6, so they weren't worthy of me registering and posting. But this...this magnificent extravaganza of a vacation that we have planned is WELL worth posting about. (can you tell I am excited?)

Our "we" consists of my DH, 11 and 13 year old sons and me - the planner of the group. Here are all the gory details of my planning - please let me know if I make a misstep since I have never done this trip before!

We are flying overnight, arriving about noon. A lovely FL Tours Towncar will greet us at the airport and will stop at a grocery store on the drive. Is it odd to be excited about someone holding a sign with our name on it to greet us?

Where: Dolphin Resort - 6 nights on the summer sensations plan and 4 nights govt rate. We got a resort view, but my fingers are crossed for an upgrade.

Park Plan: We have a day slotted for each park with two flexible days. We are heading to Universal on Tues 10/18 and Wed 10/19 (just renting a car those two days). We are big rides people, so our focus each park is rides - using the mid afternoon busier time for shows and snacking.

ADRs:
Sat 10/15: 8:15am Tusker House
Sat 10/15: 2pm Yak and Yeti
Fri 10/21: 1:10 SciFi Drive In
Fri 10/21: 7:15 Hoop Dee Do

Extras:
Thurs 10/13: Mickey's Halloween Party (not booked yet - its our arrival day and still not sure)
Fri 10/21: YES Program Production Arts & Sciences class at Hollywood Studios.
Fri 10/21: 10pm Haunted Carriage Ride

Is it October yet?

I've added your ADRs to the master list on the top of page 30!

 

[summerlady]

Called to add my room requests and flight information today. 153 days. Ouch. I won't wish the summer away, but....

 

[LJD2143]

Yeah, if I remember correctly this one was started because the other one wasn't updated for a while. I think they are both active now, but I don't know how updated the other one is. I look at both but am far more active on this one.

I've added your ADRs to the master list on the top of page 30!

And this thread has an ADR listing! (Thanks to Nikki!)

 

[ociana]

I've added your ADRs to the master list on the top of page 30!

Thank you!!! I just added one more last night, 8:30 pm on 10/20 at La Hacienda De San Angel so we can watch Illuminations.

Also, here's a link back to page 30 for anyone who needs it!