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

[exwdwcm]

We are planning our first Disney trip for October 10th -16th!!! I have been waiting my entire life for this and I can't wait. My dh promised me the day we married that he would take me. So, we are finally going for our 10 year anniversary and our dd's 7th birthday. We are staying at POP.

yeah, how awesome! you guys will have a blast!! Are you planning any special meals or events?

Looks Great! MARsMama, how did you book your FDP? I tried to do it online today, but it is not showing any dates at all for October.

i personally wouldn't do two characters meals in one day because I like to spread them out throughout the trip, so we have something different/special to look forward too, but in reality, there isn't anything wrong with having 2 in a day, it's just my preference to spread it out. your schedule looks great!

ADR Day tomorrow! Here's to hoping that it goes well Congrats everyone who got their desired ADRs!!

so how did it go? did you get CRT?

2 weeks until we can make our ADRs! I'm so excited. Now what time can I get online and call? I've figured out that the Tusker House ADR is more important to me than CRT. Because I want the first slot for that one. I already know that the times I want for CRT are still available for several days before our trip. 8AM Tusker House are now extinct.
I do know we are going to MNSSHP on Sunday October 16th for sure. The only question is if we decide to attend a second night of the party later in the week.

me too! April 17th!!!! You can book online starting at 6am EST and by phone at 7am EST. so i am definitely doing all i can online first. I plan to be logged in, ready to go 10 minutes before!

Speaking of ADRs...

We're going with another family though our schedules aren't identical. We do, however, have about 5 meals we'll be eating together. Obviously we'd like to be at the same table. Both families have the dining plan. Now, my initial plan was to book my ADRs online through my confirmation number. How will that work if I try to book more people than are in my official party?

For example: Cinderella's Table - I need to book a table for 7 instead of the 3 in just my party. After we arrive, each family will "pay" with our own dining plan. Can I do this online? Can I do this at all through my dining plan? How many licks DOES it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?

it should let you book for all of you, however, the problem becomes if you have more than 10. Then you have to call group dining. The website will only let you book for parties of 10 or less.........well nevermind that. i just checked and now it lets you do up to 14, they must have changed it since i booked for our large party 2 years ago! so you shouldn't have an issue either way. Sorry, not sure on the CRT question.

For those of you attending MNSSHP.. what are your plans for the day? I am debating whether or not to attend AK in the morning, leave around lunch time and go back to resort. Second choice, go to breakfast at Kona's and then head back to resort and rest up.

I have been working on my plans all weekend, since our ADRs are coming up.

we are doing Epcot the morning of our party, however, we are just going over for a few hours, at RD and leaving by noon or 1pm at the latest, so we can take long naps before dinner at O'hana prior to the party (hoping i get Ohana!)

 

[Pixiedust530]

For those of you attending MNSSHP.. what are your plans for the day? I am debating whether or not to attend AK in the morning, leave around lunch time and go back to resort. Second choice, go to breakfast at Kona's and then head back to resort and rest up.

I have been working on my plans all weekend, since our ADRs are coming up.

We have decided to go to EPCOT for Food & Wine for late morning/early afternoon (no Rope Drop) and then head back to the resort to rest up for a bit before heading to MNSSHP. I think going to AK in the morning sounds good. In my experience with my son (every kiddo is different) if he has to "WAIT" all day for a special event he gets a little cranky & struggles with the wait. If he is kept busy with other things (Like EPCOT) he won't be so worried about what's happening later that night! HTH!

 

[Catira]

We have decided to go to EPCOT for Food & Wine for late morning/early afternoon (no Rope Drop) and then head back to the resort to rest up for a bit before heading to MNSSHP. I think going to AK in the morning sounds good. In my experience with my son (every kiddo is different) if he has to "WAIT" all day for a special event he gets a little cranky & struggles with the wait. If he is kept busy with other things (Like EPCOT) he won't be so worried about what's happening later that night! HTH!

Well we are a group of 3-4 women celebrating our birthdays. I have never gone during October so this will be our first MNSSHP and F & W. I'm thinking AK since it's easier to do most attractions there early in the day. I had thought of doing Epcot for F & W but wondering if we will be too tired with all the walking. So much planning to do..

 

[Pixiedust530]

Well we are a group of 3-4 women celebrating our birthdays. I have never gone during October so this will be our first MNSSHP and F & W. I'm thinking AK since it's easier to do most attractions there early in the day. I had thought of doing Epcot for F & W but wondering if we will be too tired with all the walking. So much planning to do..

LOL... I guess it isn't really important what is easier for kids then, huh? Knowing a little more about your group... I think AK is PERFECT! My last trip to Disney was in 2006 with a group of adults/no kids and we did AK in half a day. We had hopped to another park by 1pm I think! I say go for AK and then relax for a bit before the party.

 

[Agent4699]

Hi everyone! Great success this morning, all of it online at 6a.m. The system was a bit weird though, every time I tried to make a reservation, I had to log in again with my email and confirm my reservation. Nevertheless, here's what we got:

10/2 - Cinderella's Royal Table (breakfast) and California Grill (dinner to see MNSSHP fireworks)
10/3 - Cat Cora's Kouzzina (breakfast), 50's Primetime Cafe (lunch), Flying Fish Cafe (dinner)
10/4 - Jiko (dinner)
10/5 - Les Chefs de France (dinner)

Hope everyone else had good luck too!

 

[Parla]

I've had a couple of people tell me that Tonga Toast is the bomb. The description sounds amazing. Do you think it would be possible to stop at the Polynesian and get some from their QS and still make it to MK RD?

 

[Parla]

Hi everyone! Great success this morning, all of it online at 6a.m. The system was a bit weird though, every time I tried to make a reservation, I had to log in again with my email and confirm my reservation. Nevertheless, here's what we got:

10/2 - Cinderella's Royal Table (breakfast) and California Grill (dinner to see MNSSHP fireworks)
10/3 - Cat Cora's Kouzzina (breakfast), 50's Primetime Cafe (lunch), Flying Fish Cafe (dinner)
10/4 - Jiko (dinner)
10/5 - Les Chefs de France (dinner)

Hope everyone else had good luck too!

Congrats! I'm so glad you got everything you wanted.

 

[LJD2143]

I've had a couple of people tell me that Tonga Toast is the bomb. The description sounds amazing. Do you think it would be possible to stop at the Polynesian and get some from their QS and still make it to MK RD?

ABSOLUTELY!
Capt'n Cooks opens by 6:30am, I believe. Then it's just a quick monorail ride over to MK.

Tonga Toast is yummy - but just a word of warning - really SWEET!

 

[sjs314]

Congrats to all those that have gotten the ADR's they were hoping for. My ADR day isn't until the 18th but I am so excited. I have been working feverishly to get everything in order so I am ready forst thing that morning. I've been thinking about making a backup list in case I can't get my first choices. Does anyone else do this?

I've also been working on list's of our must do's in each park. I just posted our Must Do's in MK to my PTR.

Is it October yet? OMG....I just want to be in the World already!

I have been going over our plans all weekend still have a few times to pin down for the ADR's. I haven't made a back up list and doubt I will , it seems most people have been reporting getting the times and places they want wiithin 15 mins or so of what they wanted. I think it can't hurt having a back up list "just in case"

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

For those of you attending MNSSHP.. what are your plans for the day? I am debating whether or not to attend AK in the morning, leave around lunch time and go back to resort. Second choice, go to breakfast at Kona's and then head back to resort and rest up.

I have been working on my plans all weekend, since our ADRs are coming up.

We are planning on attending the 9/30 MNSSHP. The plan is to be in Epcot all day, hit up some food and wine! Then go to 'Ohana for dinner at 5, then monorail it over to the MK for the party!

Hi everyone! Great success this morning, all of it online at 6a.m. The system was a bit weird though, every time I tried to make a reservation, I had to log in again with my email and confirm my reservation. Nevertheless, here's what we got:

10/2 - Cinderella's Royal Table (breakfast) and California Grill (dinner to see MNSSHP fireworks)
10/3 - Cat Cora's Kouzzina (breakfast), 50's Primetime Cafe (lunch), Flying Fish Cafe (dinner)
10/4 - Jiko (dinner)
10/5 - Les Chefs de France (dinner)

Hope everyone else had good luck too!

Excellent! Congrats on getting what you wanted! If you want to post the specific times, I will add them to the list....

 

[Agent4699]

Thanks!! A question -- we got the Deluxe Dining Plan and now I'm thinking it's unnecessary and too much. What do you guys think?

 

[avic77]

For those of you attending MNSSHP.. what are your plans for the day? I am debating whether or not to attend AK in the morning, leave around lunch time and go back to resort. Second choice, go to breakfast at Kona's and then head back to resort and rest up.

I have been working on my plans all weekend, since our ADRs are coming up.

I am looking at AK for that day as well. I had hoped for a Sunday night party but there isnt one on the Sunday we will be there (from the look of the park hour charts)
So At this time I have:
Sunday ~ Arrive hit DTD for dinner
Monday ~ AK in AM, Nap, MNSSHP that night
Tuesday ~ Epcot for Youth Education class, nap at hotel, return for evening
Wednesday ~ MK (only night without a party other then Sunday night )
Thursday ~ Island Of Adventures WWOHP
Friday ~ Travel home

 

[sjs314]

Thanks!! A question -- we got the Deluxe Dining Plan and now I'm thinking it's unnecessary and too much. What do you guys think?

I think it depends on your eating habits. DH and myself are doing the DxDP and I did think it might be a bit over the top but DH and I both enjoy starting off our day with a TS Breakfast when on vacation plus at least one other TS meal sometimes late lunch or early dinner or even a late dinner if the park is open late. Due to this the DDP is no good with only 1 TS and 1CS and 1snack a day. We are not fans of CS anyway since sometimes when we have tried it , finding a place to sit is near impossible. We also love Appitizers and you only get that with the DxDP.
What I have done is try to schedule a lighter fare for lunch on days we are having a hearty dinner.
I am looking forward to trying a lot of new restaurants this trip and knowing it will all be paid for in advance. We will use our snack credits at the F&W

 

[Agent4699]

thanks for your reply! we do eat a lot, and we've made reservations for places like CRT, California Grill and Jiko, but I'm starting to worry that I'm trying to "use up" the dining plan credits instead of planning days at the park. Also, we're taking a morning to go to Harry Potter World, and won't be using the dining plan until dinner, so that kills a day.

I think it depends on your eating habits. DH and myself are doing the DxDP and I did think it might be a bit over the top but DH and I both enjoy starting off our day with a TS Breakfast when on vacation plus at least one other TS meal sometimes late lunch or early dinner or even a late dinner if the park is open late. Due to this the DDP is no good with only 1 TS and 1CS and 1snack a day. We are not fans of CS anyway since sometimes when we have tried it , finding a place to sit is near impossible. We also love Appitizers and you only get that with the DxDP.
What I have done is try to schedule a lighter fare for lunch on days we are having a hearty dinner.
I am looking forward to trying a lot of new restaurants this trip and knowing it will all be paid for in advance. We will use our snack credits at the F&W

 

[stephielela]

Thanks!! A question -- we got the Deluxe Dining Plan and now I'm thinking it's unnecessary and too much. What do you guys think?

It totally depends on the makeup of your party, and what your priorities are for your trip. My family had the DxDP in December (TR link in my sig ). It was me, my sister, my parents, and my 2 year old son. It was a lot of food (which we altogether probably only ate half of) and we spent a lot of time eating. We ended up canceling a few ADR's and even using some credits for QS which is not cost effective.

I think if you are planning on eating at a signature (2 credit) restaurant each day for dinner and another TS breakfast, DxDP is a good idea. The 2 snacks a day will come in handy at the F&W festival. If you are taking small children, keep in mind the TS meals are pretty lengthy. Most of ours were over an hour, many can be at least 2 hours long. We had trouble keeping my son happy and quiet that long. Obviously if it's just adults then its not an issue. It is definitely something you should consider, since it is pretty pricey. And keep in mind, you will still have to tip on the meals, and the meals themselves are pretty expensive, which drives the tip up.

I have asked myself the same thing a lot since our trip, and thinking of the scenarios where we could have made better use of our credits.

 

[MARsMama]

Congrats, Agent4699 on getting the ADRs that you wanted.

We go with the regular DDP as that is enough for us, any more would be too much. I'm not sure how much extra the deluxe plan is, or how much more you get for it, but if you feel you will eat that much and it's worth it I would go ahead with it. However, if you are just going to eat one or two meals more than what's on the regular DDP you might be better off just paying OOP for the extra.

The day we are planning to attend MNSSHP I have MK down as our park to visit. We may go early in the morning and do some of the park and then return to the resort for a rest around noon and head back to the party or we might lounge around at the resort for the morning and head to the park early/late afternoon and stay through for the party. We'll just 'wing it' and see how we're feeling that day

 

[MARsMama]

i personally wouldn't do two characters meals in one day because I like to spread them out throughout the trip, so we have something different/special to look forward too, but in reality, there isn't anything wrong with having 2 in a day, it's just my preference to spread it out. your schedule looks great!

We debated on whether to do two character meals in one day, however since it's dd's birthday and she loved CP for breakfast we wanted to take her there on her birthday. But then we also wanted to surprise her and take her to CRT for dinner on her birthday (she has doesn't even know that you can dine in the castle ). Since we could choose between the two, we went with both of them. Once we tell the kids about the trip we will tell her that we'll be going to CP for her birthday, but we're not going to let on about CRT and just head there when the time comes

 

[Agent4699]

Ah. Ok, thanks. I think we might have 1 meal left over, which is disappointing and then I'm not sure it's worth it. We're eating 4 signature meals (CRT, Calif Grill, Brown Derby and Jiko). We were going to do Flying Fish but it's kind of out of the way for our plans.

Congrats, Agent4699 on getting the ADRs that you wanted.

We go with the regular DDP as that is enough for us, any more would be too much. I'm not sure how much extra the deluxe plan is, or how much more you get for it, but if you feel you will eat that much and it's worth it I would go ahead with it. However, if you are just going to eat one or two meals more than what's on the regular DDP you might be better off just paying OOP for the extra.

The day we are planning to attend MNSSHP I have MK down as our park to visit. We may go early in the morning and do some of the park and then return to the resort for a rest around noon and head back to the party or we might lounge around at the resort for the morning and head to the park early/late afternoon and stay through for the party. We'll just 'wing it' and see how we're feeling that day

 

[cgrpooh1]

My husband and I are planning to go to Disney World October 23rd through the 30th. Our anniversary is the 24th. We are staying at the AKL.

 

[becauseisaid]

Unless it changed from last year it shouldn't be a problem, as I did this for online reservations a year ago. You need your e-mail and password to log in and activiate the 180 +10, but you can reserve for more than your party. There were 3 of us last year staying under the same bookings, but we had a party of 2 joining us for our meals. I had no problem making online reservations for 5, even though our Dining Plan and vacation package were for 3.

Thanks! That takes a load off my mind!