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

[Coopers2006]

So excited 2 be going 2 Disney again!!! Come on Oct!!!!!

 

[Goofy_Mom]

It looks like I'm a little late in joining in, but you can add me. We are going October 15-22, staying at All Star Movies.

I have been planning this trip since Spring of 2010, but wanted to finalize everything and get it booked before I posted....didn't want to jinx myself!

Next up....creating a Trip Report! I am soooooo excited!

I need all of you October and MNSSHP veterans to help me out. $$ will be tight for us this trip (that's why I held out on posting until it was booked) and so I hadn't planned on doing MNSSHP. I have trouble justifying the expense for glorified trick-or-treating. I know there is so much more than the dressing up and the candy, but I guess I just have sticker shock: Is anyone else out there in the same boat as me or am I the minority? For those that have done MNSSHP and continue to do it year after year, what makes it worth the $$ for your family?

Btw...the trip will be me, my boyfriend, my 4yo DS, my mother and my grandparents. It will be the 1st trip for my boyfriend and DS but the rest of us have all been multiple times, but never done MNSSHP. Any opinions/advice about MNSSHP would be GREATLY appreciated!

I'm a first timer WDW (DL vet). Our family includes DH, DD10, DS3, and me. We are most definately doing the party. One thing that helps with the sticker shock is that one party ticket costs less than a one day park ticket. They let you in at 4 even though the party doesn't start till 7. There are a limited amount of tickets sold, which translates to an even smaller crowd. The exceptions to the crowd rule tend to be late October when Halloween is drawing near. I figure a mid month tuesday party there will not be many locals. On top of all this, we love Halloween (we meaning everyone except DH). DS and I like it better than Christmas. He watches Halloween time movies year round. Another driving force is we are on vacation, we're going to have a blast. WDW isn't something that we will be able to do year after year like DL.

 

[baileybelle]

Heading back to WDW Oct. 23 - Oct. 29 at POP. Not doing MNNSHP this year. We have decided to do some resort hopping this year. I'd like to explore as many resorts as I can this trip. Also hoping for free dining. Have gotten pins the past two years in a row for that week.

 

[Nermel9]

We are now going to be staying at the Beach Club from Oct 26-Nov 1

Hopeing for cooler weather than the end of September and we won't have to fight the crowds at opening weekend for the F&W now

I keep thinking of doing the same thing. I'm nervous about going the first week of October, I'm nervous about crowds, and I'm nervous it's gonna be too hot. However, the thought of pushing my trip back by a month kills me, I don't think I can wait that much longer! And anyway, some of my DIS friends went the week before Halloween last year and said it was really hot that week, in the 90's some days, so I guess you never know with the weather!

 

[sjs314]

I keep thinking of doing the same thing. I'm nervous about going the first week of October, I'm nervous about crowds, and I'm nervous it's gonna be too hot. However, the thought of pushing my trip back by a month kills me, I don't think I can wait that much longer! And anyway, some of my DIS friends went the week before Halloween last year and said it was really hot that week, in the 90's some days, so I guess you never know with the weather!

I read the same thing about it beingt hot last year, Florida weather is so unpredictable but I know F&W will be crazy opening weekend so at least we will avoid that by going later in October since we really are looking forward to F&W for the first time.
BTW it did hurt a bit when I changed my tickers and they went from 207 days to 237

 

[Nermel9]

I read the same thing about it beingt hot last year, Florida weather is so unpredictable but I know F&W will be crazy opening weekend so at least we will avoid that by going later in October since we really are looking forward to F&W for the first time.
BTW it did hurt a bit when I changed my tickers and they went from 207 days to 237

I'm not so worried about the weather as I am the crowds, but then again, I'm hoping, if anything, only the weekend is bad! I'm already planning to avoid Epcot on Saturday, and probably Sunday also, and although it might be a bad idea, I'd like to be in MK on October 1 if they are planning anything for the 40th anniversary! I went in late September in 2008, and everyone says how HOT and humid September is, and I found it to be fine. A few days were really hot, but towards the end of the week, it was really nice! So I guess you never know!

LOL, I just don't know if I could add that many days on to my ticker! I just got down to 209 days, I can't imagine going back up into the 230's! And I have less than a month to wait to make my ADR's, so I guess I'll just take my chances with that first week!

I wish they would release October hours already! I know we will probably have to wait til the end of the month, but I'm SO ready to plan!!!

 

[sjs314]

I'm not so worried about the weather as I am the crowds, but then again, I'm hoping, if anything, only the weekend is bad! I'm already planning to avoid Epcot on Saturday, and probably Sunday also, and although it might be a bad idea, I'd like to be in MK on October 1 if they are planning anything for the 40th anniversary! I went in late September in 2008, and everyone says how HOT and humid September is, and I found it to be fine. A few days were really hot, but towards the end of the week, it was really nice! So I guess you never know!

LOL, I just don't know if I could add that many days on to my ticker! I just got down to 209 days, I can't imagine going back up into the 230's! And I have less than a month to wait to make my ADR's, so I guess I'll just take my chances with that first week!

I wish they would release October hours already! I know we will probably have to wait til the end of the month, but I'm SO ready to plan!!!

I was looking forward to being in MK on Oct 1 too, and I know it will be crazy busy, I had planned on doing F&W on Thurs since they do a preview the night before it officially opens and Fri , Sat and Sun daytime but no nights

Just changed my dates pushing our trip back a week now I have to redo all my tickers again but Jet Blue is releasing air fares Monday but only from Sept 7 to Oct 29 so comign back Nov 1 I would have to hold off buying our return trip and I have credits to use up and want badly to buy our air fare and be done with it so Now will be in the world Oct 19-Oct 25.

I think waiting for the park hours is the worse thing next to waiting for air fares.

 

[Nermel9]

I was looking forward to being in MK on Oct 1 too, and I know it will be crazy busy, I had planned on doing F&W on Thurs since they do a preview the night before it officially opens and Fri , Sat and Sun daytime but no nights

Just changed my dates pushing our trip back a week now I have to redo all my tickers again but Jet Blue is releasing air fares Monday but only from Sept 7 to Oct 29 so comign back Nov 1 I would have to hold off buying our return trip and I have credits to use up and want badly to buy our air fare and be done with it so Now will be in the world Oct 19-Oct 25.

I think waiting for the park hours is the worse thing next to waiting for air fares.

OMG waiting for airfare is driving me crazy too!!! I bought our flight down with Southwest a couple of weeks ago, I got a really good price for a one way flight for my DH and I...BUT it's later in the day than I would have liked, and it has a layover, which I don't like. I was hoping the nonstop flight early in the morning that I wanted would go down, but so far, it just keeps getting higher and higher!

We're coming home on 10/8, so I have to book that flight separately. If Jet blue has a decent price Monday, I'll just get a flight home with them! It might be weird, using 2 airlines, but whatever! OR if Jet Blue is really reasonable (which I'm not counting on, but you never know!) I might just try to convince my DH to let me cancel the SW flight, and use it for another trip some other time (like in December! ). Not sure he'll go for that, though!

I'm wondering what is going to happen for the 40th anniversary.

 

[Pixiedust530]

I wish they would release October hours already! I know we will probably have to wait til the end of the month, but I'm SO ready to plan!!!

I'm with you! I have basically been planning this trip since last Spring. I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do each day, but it is mostly based on last year's hours. I need THIS year's Oct. hours released already...I NEED to get everything sorted out before making my ADR's on April 18.
Well, I guess I'll just sit back and enjoy the show until then.

 

[sjs314]

OMG waiting for airfare is driving me crazy too!!! I bought our flight down with Southwest a couple of weeks ago, I got a really good price for a one way flight for my DH and I...BUT it's later in the day than I would have liked, and it has a layover, which I don't like. I was hoping the nonstop flight early in the morning that I wanted would go down, but so far, it just keeps getting higher and higher!

We're coming home on 10/8, so I have to book that flight separately. If Jet blue has a decent price Monday, I'll just get a flight home with them! It might be weird, using 2 airlines, but whatever! OR if Jet Blue is really reasonable (which I'm not counting on, but you never know!) I might just try to convince my DH to let me cancel the SW flight, and use it for another trip some other time (like in December! ). Not sure he'll go for that, though!

I'm wondering what is going to happen for the 40th anniversary.

I could have booked our flight down then waited and booked a return flight whenever but I know normally if you book round trip it comes up cheaper than if you book separately but I really want and need to know when we are to return too so I can plan our last day. It ended up costed and extra $72 to switch the weeks since the week before has higher room rates, hopefully it will all balance out with good prices on air fares Monday

They will do something good now that I am not going to be there on Oct 1

 

[kayleesmomxo]

We are all booked for Oct 2-9th at POFQ I can't wait for MNSSHP Happy planning everyone

 

[PoohNFriends]

We had to change our dates to Oct.22-29. We are still staying at AKL.

Here's our info:

Traveling Party
ME - I'm an obsessive planner who loves everything about Disney! I tend to plan our days semi-commando style because I don't see us being able to return to WDW for awhile and I want us to experience as much as we can while we are there.
DH - Enjoyed our last trip to WDW but isn't as into the whole Disney thing as the rest of us. He just goes with the flow....
DD - (will be 13)
DD (will be 11) Both my girls love to help me plan and are super excited about this trip and about staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. They are still very 'young at heart' for their ages, and love all the little-kid rides in Fantasyland and are insisting upon doing a princess character meal.

Where are we staying?
Animal Kingdom Lodge, club level. We will be there October 22th thru 29th. We stayed at the Poly last time and absolutely loved it but we all wanted to try something different this time and unanimously chose AKL for the theming.

What will we do when we get there?
Two days at Epcot (the girls' favorite), one day at MK, one day at AK, and one day at DHS. One day off in the middle of the trip to sleep in and play at AKL. We may try out the mini golf that day. We want to do the Sunrise Safari one day, also.

Hi Bookmomhp - we're also staying those same dates AKV CL so I'm sure we'll see you and your family around! So to share more about our trip:

Traveling Party
Me - Turning 30 later this month; been Disney obsessed most my life; love to have a plan for our trip, but not overly rigid about following it; go to parks in semi-commando mode.
DBF - Will be 33; shares love for Disney, but not as obvious; is totally happy with me planning and gathering info, but will ask questions, and share opinions and ideas.
Us - You could call us a "Happily Unmarried Couple" - we've been together 9 years, own a house and DVC members at AKV and VGC, have a very spolied cat, and this will be our 4th Disney trip (3rd to the World) together.
Where we are staying
We will be staying in an AKV CL studio Oct 22 - Oct 29.
What will we do when we get there
No specific plans yet, but looking forward to enjoying time at all 4 parks, DTD, and maybe mini-golf; MNSSHP (a 1st); F&W (a 1st); a tour - either Wild Trek Africa, Sunrise Safari, or Sunset Safari; meals at Rose & Crown (DBF's fave last trip), Boma (shared favorite), Sanaa (a 1st), Crystal Palace (I love Pooh characters). Remaining details TBD...

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

I was looking forward to being in MK on Oct 1 too, and I know it will be crazy busy, I had planned on doing F&W on Thurs since they do a preview the night before it officially opens and Fri , Sat and Sun daytime but no nights

Just changed my dates pushing our trip back a week now I have to redo all my tickers again but Jet Blue is releasing air fares Monday but only from Sept 7 to Oct 29 so comign back Nov 1 I would have to hold off buying our return trip and I have credits to use up and want badly to buy our air fare and be done with it so Now will be in the world Oct 19-Oct 25.

I think waiting for the park hours is the worse thing next to waiting for air fares.

WOOHOO!!!​

Any idea roughly what time fares will be released?

 

[sjs314]

WOOHOO!!!​

Any idea roughly what time fares will be released?

The email did not mention a time but seems to me last year it was around 11am but I am going to be up and checking earlier just in case.

 

[Nermel9]

I could have booked our flight down then waited and booked a return flight whenever but I know normally if you book round trip it comes up cheaper than if you book separately but I really want and need to know when we are to return too so I can plan our last day. It ended up costed and extra $72 to switch the weeks since the week before has higher room rates, hopefully it will all balance out with good prices on air fares Monday

They will do something good now that I am not going to be there on Oct 1

I thought that about round trip tix too, but I don't think it matters with Southwest or Jet Blue, I don't think it's any cheaper if you buy round trip. I could be wrong, but I think that's what everyone at the Transportation board says! I don't really like the idea of having 2 separate tickets, though, but I'm stuck now, I already bought the flight down!

I hope Jet Blue has decent prices Monday! The wait is killing me! Southwest is SO ridiculous right now, their prices seem to go up every day!

LOL, I doubt they will do anything crazy for the 40th anniversary! Do they normally make big deals out of anniversaries?

I'm with you! I have basically been planning this trip since last Spring. I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do each day, but it is mostly based on last year's hours. I need THIS year's Oct. hours released already...I NEED to get everything sorted out before making my ADR's on April 18.

LOL, I have no idea of what I want to do each day! I can't even figure the first weekend out, or the first night, for that matter! I should look at last year's hours, just for an idea, but with my luck, everything will be different this year!

I make my ADR's on April 3, so I'll probably only have like, 2 days to finalize everything once the official hours are out! Ugh!!!!

 

[sjs314]

I thought that about round trip tix too, but I don't think it matters with Southwest or Jet Blue, I don't think it's any cheaper if you buy round trip. I could be wrong, but I think that's what everyone at the Transportation board says! I don't really like the idea of having 2 separate tickets, though, but I'm stuck now, I already bought the flight down!

I hope Jet Blue has decent prices Monday! The wait is killing me! Southwest is SO ridiculous right now, their prices seem to go up every day!

LOL, I doubt they will do anything crazy for the 40th anniversary! Do they normally make big deals out of anniversaries?



LOL, I have no idea of what I want to do each day! I can't even figure the first weekend out, or the first night, for that matter! I should look at last year's hours, just for an idea, but with my luck, everything will be different this year!

I make my ADR's on April 3, so I'll probably only have like, 2 days to finalize everything once the official hours are out! Ugh!!!!

I know last year when I bought our tickets it was cheaper to buy round trip with Jet Blue, I hope it still is or at the very least the prices will be reasonable.

I have never been at Disney on the actual date of the Anniversary but I would think they would have something to kick off the year of celebration with some special guests maybe

I started looking at last years calendar and making notes of basically what I think the hours might be. Some things never change much although from what I am reading they do extend hours at MK and DHS by an hour or so in Oct.

I do not have to make my ADR's Until April 22 so they should have the hours out long before that

Once I book the flights then I can get started since I will know what time we arrive and depart. Not even sure which airport we will use, although BDL seems to have lower prices but they only offer 2 flights down and 2 return whereas HPN offers a choice of 5 times.

 

[LJD2143]

Count me in as one of those waiting (im)patiently for October park hours and airline schedules.....


We will be at BLT from Oct 22-29.

Typically I feel pretty confident in utilizing last year's park hours to determine our park plans. However, the X-factor in all of that is the MNSSHP. Depending on when Halloween falls, the party dates can vary - especially in the week leading up to the holiday.

Also, when referring to last year's hours - I see that EMH at MK switched to a Saturday for one week (10/23/10) - so MK was open until 3am! I wonder if that was just a one-time adjustment or if we can hope for the same thing this year? My family would LOVE to stay at MK that late!

Waiting for airfare is just excruciating because with every passing day, I see the rates are going up and up and up!

 

[Catira]

Count me in as one of those waiting (im)patiently for October park hours and airline schedules.....


We will be at BLT from Oct 22-29.

Typically I feel pretty confident in utilizing last year's park hours to determine our park plans. However, the X-factor in all of that is the MNSSHP. Depending on when Halloween falls, the party dates can vary - especially in the week leading up to the holiday.

Also, when referring to last year's hours - I see that EMH at MK switched to a Saturday for one week (10/23/10) - so MK was open until 3am! I wonder if that was just a one-time adjustment or if we can hope for the same thing this year? My family would LOVE to stay at MK that late!

Waiting for airfare is just excruciating because with every passing day, I see the rates are going up and up and up!

We will be traveling the same dates but staying at OKW I too kept waiting for S.W. and JetBlue to post October schedule. Prices kept increasing on flights with other airlines so we went ahead and booked our flights this past Friday. Now I am waiting for Disney to post October hours so I can start planning my adrs as well as decide which day we will do MNSSHP.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

Congratulations! That is so sad about your DILs, but so exciting that your family will be able to spend this special time with your DMIL. And it will be nice for her to have you there, as I'm sure it will be a little hard for her w/memories of your DFIL.
Marce

HeyItsMe - I'm so sorry to hear about your FIL. It seems like he put up a heck of a fight, living 3 years with lung cancer. And I agree with pp, your MIL will probably get a lot out of this trip with you. It'll be good therapy for her. Have fun!

Thanks for your kind words.

My DILS took me, DH & DD to WDW back in 2000 for our DD's first trip (she was 3 at the time). That was the trip that re-ignited my love for WDW. We had gone for our Honeymoon in 1991 and then again in 1993 but didn't return until 2000. I have learned SO much in all our trips since then and I can't wait to go with my DMIL and show her a good Disney time!

I can't wait to book our airfare --- waiting for AirTran. And book our ADRs.

 

[NYEmomma]

Doo bee doo bee dooooo.... I'm so impatient -- October hours need to be released NOW!!

I'm being super indecisive about MNSSHP. At first we said "no" because DD is only 2 and we couldn't justify the cost (even though we'd be paying just for me & DH). But now my parents have unexpectedly paid for our plan tickets so we have ~$500 more now than we planned. So I'm tempted to do it.

But DD goes to bed at 8 p.m... special days (like over Christmas) we've stretched to 9 p.m., but she's a complete disaster the next day.

WWYD???