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

[jjiillee]

I am so glad I got all of the ADRs I wanted!!! YAY!!!!! Now the countdown begins! I am excited for our trip but I don't want summer to go too fast either.

Anyway here they are:

10/23 O'hana 6:40pm (DH's bday! So excited first time eating here)
10/24 1900 Park Fare 6:40pm
10/25 No TS eating at F&W for dinner
10/26 Tusker House 8:00 am
WolfGang Puck Cafe 630 pm
10/27 Plaza 5:10 PM Then MNSSHP
10/28 Hollywood & Vine 12:35
10/29 Crystal Palace 8:05
La Hacienda de San Angel 7:15pm

 

[Parla]

Do you need my info or do you want to wait or did I give it to you already? Can't remember, having a blond or senior moment can't tell. lol. As for your daughter, I will bring some glucose tablets with me just in case she needs them. I got your back girl!

Yes, you already gave it to me. It was right after your DR. visit so I'm not surprised you don't remember.

Thanks for that. You meet so many people that don't get it, it's nice to meet the ones that do. I had to call the school the other day because the computer teacher wouldn't let DD back into the classroom after she went to the nurse to get rechecked for a low. She claimed she was running in and out. The nurse was still angry about it when I went in and talked to her.

Congrats to everyone on getting your ADR's. I was playing today and was still could have booked things (I didn't change but could have, lol). There was availability at some of the popular places. I wonder if that is a good sign for us that maybe the crowds will be lighter during Oct??

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that likes to go on the site and just play around to see what ADRs I could get if I wanted to. If free dining does eventually come out I'm sure those will disappear rather quickly.

 

[PEANUT1]

I will be keeping track in this post of all who are doing a YES program. PM me your date and what class you are doing and I will keep it updated.

October 25
Wild by Design
tlenzendorf
LJD2143

My daughter is doing the Oct 17th Ocean class in epcot (cant remember the name)

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

I just went over to disneyworld.com to play around with dining and such, and was greeted by this message:

Site Maintenance In Progress

Our site is undergoing maintenance. We'll return shortly! And we apologize for the inconvenience.

Have a magical day!

The Walt Disney World Resort

Maybe a new discount...
Maybe MNSSHP tickets...
maybe just maintenance...


...Only time will tell...

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I am so glad I got all of the ADRs I wanted!!! YAY!!!!! Now the countdown begins! I am excited for our trip but I don't want summer to go too fast either.

Anyway here they are:

10/23 O'hana 6:40pm (DH's bday! So excited first time eating here)
10/24 1900 Park Fare 6:40pm
10/25 No TS eating at F&W for dinner
10/26 Tusker House 8:00 am
WolfGang Puck Cafe 630 pm
10/27 Plaza 5:10 PM Then MNSSHP
10/28 Hollywood & Vine 12:35
10/29 Crystal Palace 8:05
La Hacienda de San Angel 7:15pm

Added!

 

[sjs314]

ok ladies, someone on another board I frequent received an Oct. PIN to their name today (they called and asked), so they are starting to pop up. Unfortunately for us we found out we have a FD PIN attached to our name right now, but it's only goo until August, so it does us no good. I'm really hoping we get another one for the Oct. trip.

Did they happen to mention what the % off was for the pin they rec'd?

I just went over to disneyworld.com to play around with dining and such, and was greeted by this message:




Maybe a new discount...
Maybe MNSSHP tickets...
maybe just maintenance...


...Only time will tell...

I wondered the same thing this am when I went to the site.

 

[summerlady]

Ok, I'm mostly happy about this new development but I'm also just a little...I don't know how I'm feeling. DH and I enjoyed our solo trip so much back in Nov. 2009, we had fun and really loved being just the two of us even though we missed DGD. This coming trip DD, her DH and DGD10 were going to arrive a few days ahead of us and then leave a couple of days before us. DH and I were overjoyed that we'd all be spending some time together but also that we'd have a couple of days on our own. DD called me last night, very excited, to let me know that she booked...the same exact dates as ours. Same resort, POFQ. So there goes our dream of some alone time, and as much as I adore DGD, I don't want to become the designated babysitter the entire time. My DD is a big shopper, me, not so much, and she spends HOURS shopping at Disney, drove me nuts last November. I guess the best way to do this and keep everyone happy is to not do everything together, all the time. And also, since I'm such a Disney control freak (mostly because we've taken more trips and know the in's and out's of WDW), I don't want to alienate DD and her family. DH and I were planning to go to MNNSHP but since DD & family are going I think DH and I will sit it out to have some time by ourselves.

Any advice?

 

[lmc318]

Shannon here is the link I found for the $99 preorder. http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitoffer.aspx

I was just getting ready to post this - glad I checked!

I read in the past that people had to call Disney and get the code "refreshed" for the CDs if they were ordered more than a month or two in advance. Is this still the case? I've been holding off a while just to avoid having to do that, since the link above seems to be a permanent thing.

 

[Rorey]

Did they happen to mention what the % off was for the pin they rec'd?

It was for FD.

 

[lmc318]

Ok, I'm mostly happy about this new development but I'm also just a little...I don't know how I'm feeling. DH and I enjoyed our solo trip so much back in Nov. 2009, we had fun and really loved being just the two of us even though we missed DGD. This coming trip DD, her DH and DGD10 were going to arrive a few days ahead of us and then leave a couple of days before us. DH and I were overjoyed that we'd all be spending some time together but also that we'd have a couple of days on our own. DD called me last night, very excited, to let me know that she booked...the same exact dates as ours. Same resort, POFQ. So there goes our dream of some alone time, and as much as I adore DGD, I don't want to become the designated babysitter the entire time. My DD is a big shopper, me, not so much, and she spends HOURS shopping at Disney, drove me nuts last November. I guess the best way to do this and keep everyone happy is to not do everything together, all the time. And also, since I'm such a Disney control freak (mostly because we've taken more trips and know the in's and out's of WDW), I don't want to alienate DD and her family. DH and I were planning to go to MNNSHP but since DD & family are going I think DH and I will sit it out to have some time by ourselves.

Any advice?

My parents had this issue when my entire family went a few years ago, although it was more that they wanted to take part in everything and also wanted time alone. They just booked some dinner reservations on their own a couple of nights without us. We all still went to the parks or did whatever we wanted and they met up with us at the resort when we were all done. I think sitting out MNSSHP is a great idea if you don't want to go. Otherwise I'd say just book a signature dinner or something for the two of you and maybe just don't mention it until it gets closer if you think DD would try and join you. The one thing I try not to do is make my parents default babysitters. I am very aware of the time they spend with DD and that as much as they love her, sometimes it gets overwhelming. I make it a point to plan my own things too and if they want to join, great. If not then there is some free time for us and them. HTH!!

 

[sjs314]

Ok, I'm mostly happy about this new development but I'm also just a little...I don't know how I'm feeling. DH and I enjoyed our solo trip so much back in Nov. 2009, we had fun and really loved being just the two of us even though we missed DGD. This coming trip DD, her DH and DGD10 were going to arrive a few days ahead of us and then leave a couple of days before us. DH and I were overjoyed that we'd all be spending some time together but also that we'd have a couple of days on our own. DD called me last night, very excited, to let me know that she booked...the same exact dates as ours. Same resort, POFQ. So there goes our dream of some alone time, and as much as I adore DGD, I don't want to become the designated babysitter the entire time. My DD is a big shopper, me, not so much, and she spends HOURS shopping at Disney, drove me nuts last November. I guess the best way to do this and keep everyone happy is to not do everything together, all the time. And also, since I'm such a Disney control freak (mostly because we've taken more trips and know the in's and out's of WDW), I don't want to alienate DD and her family. DH and I were planning to go to MNNSHP but since DD & family are going I think DH and I will sit it out to have some time by ourselves. Any advice?

I would plan a couple of lunches or dinners for just you and DH and be upfront about it to your DD, honestly I do not think it should alienate her especially since you mentioned not wanting to be the designated babysitter and your DD may just plan on an alone activity for two for her and her DH and want you to babysit.

DH and I have traveled with both our grown married DS on our last trip to WDW DS and Ddil decided to rent a car and go to Miami for the day, they asked us if we wanted to go but we declined and instead went to Epcot and had lunch at Biergarten. Another afternoon they went to MK we stayed at the resort then met up later for dinner. We split up other days too. We have done the same during trips to Vegas and DL with our DS's and their wives.
Being with family is fantastic but not if you are together every waking minute

 

[sjs314]

It was for FD.

Oh ok. I am not really looking for FD since I did the math and we are booked with a 20% discount pin and FD would only save us an additional $29.88 for our entire stay.

 

[summerlady]

My parents had this issue when my entire family went a few years ago, although it was more that they wanted to take part in everything and also wanted time alone. They just booked some dinner reservations on their own a couple of nights without us. We all still went to the parks or did whatever we wanted and they met up with us at the resort when we were all done. I think sitting out MNSSHP is a great idea if you don't want to go. Otherwise I'd say just book a signature dinner or something for the two of you and maybe just don't mention it until it gets closer if you think DD would try and join you. The one thing I try not to do is make my parents default babysitters. I am very aware of the time they spend with DD and that as much as they love her, sometimes it gets overwhelming. I make it a point to plan my own things too and if they want to join, great. If not then there is some free time for us and them. HTH!!

Excellent. Thank you. We've taken DGD with us every trip but one for the past three years, there are certain traditions such as always riding Dumbo with Pop (thank goodness I dodged that one!), so some time will definitely be spent together. I also don't mind at all if DD and her DH want to go out to dinner a time or two, we'd be happy to keep DGD with us. I was thinking that the night they go to MNNSHP, DH and I could have dinner at the Poly and afterward watch Hallowishes from the beach. I'm sure it'll all work out well, I was just a bit surprised that she changed her plans to coincide with ours.

 

[summerlady]

I would plan a couple of lunches or dinners for just you and DH and be upfront about it to your DD, honestly I do not think it should alienate her especially since you mentioned not wanting to be the designated babysitter and your DD may just plan on an alone activity for two for her and her DH and want you to babysit.

DH and I have traveled with both our grown married DS on our last trip to WDW DS and Ddil decided to rent a car and go to Miami for the day, they asked us if we wanted to go but we declined and instead went to Epcot and had lunch at Biergarten. Another afternoon they went to MK we stayed at the resort then met up later for dinner. We split up other days too. We have done the same during trips to Vegas and DL with our DS's and their wives.
Being with family is fantastic but not if you are together every waking minute

Yep, exactly, I think it'll be fun but we all need to do some things apart from each other. We'll probably follow the same plans as to park days, but DH and I are pretty commando style with our plans, knowing when/where to use FP's, arriving at rope drop, etc. whereas DD isn't much on getting anywhere early. I'm sure it'll all work out ok, and it's going to be nice to spend this time together for the most part, I won't mind babysitting a time or two either if DD and her DH would like to have dinner together. I just have to make sure to hold myself back when I feel inclined to shriek about arriving late at a park and DD's shopping habits.

 

[sjs314]

Yep, exactly, I think it'll be fun but we all need to do some things apart from each other. We'll probably follow the same plans as to park days, but DH and I are pretty commando style with our plans, knowing when/where to use FP's, arriving at rope drop, etc. whereas DD isn't much on getting anywhere early. I'm sure it'll all work out ok, and it's going to be nice to spend this time together for the most part, I won't mind babysitting a time or two either if DD and her DH would like to have dinner together. I just have to make sure to hold myself back when I feel inclined to shriek about arriving late at a park and DD's shopping habits.

Biteing ones tongue is the hardest part of spending time with family for sure. My one Ddil has panic attacks when in crowds so having to leave a park when I was not quite ready to yet was not good but I did not let out a peep. Or when I wanted to shop a little longer but she wanted to do something else, I am like your DD I can look look look for hours then end up heading back to the first place to buy something
I think decideing where to eat or what to eat is the hardest with a group but even that can work out, we stopped one day at Yorkshire Cty Fish Shop in Epcot, Ddil did not like the fish so my DS ate hers then we separated and he went with her over to either Japan or China I forget now for sure while DH and I went our own way , met up after Illuminations and headed back together to OKW

 

[exwdwcm]

Ok, I'm mostly happy about this new development but I'm also just a little...I don't know how I'm feeling. DH and I enjoyed our solo trip so much back in Nov. 2009, we had fun and really loved being just the two of us even though we missed DGD. This coming trip DD, her DH and DGD10 were going to arrive a few days ahead of us and then leave a couple of days before us. DH and I were overjoyed that we'd all be spending some time together but also that we'd have a couple of days on our own. DD called me last night, very excited, to let me know that she booked...the same exact dates as ours. Same resort, POFQ. So there goes our dream of some alone time, and as much as I adore DGD, I don't want to become the designated babysitter the entire time. My DD is a big shopper, me, not so much, and she spends HOURS shopping at Disney, drove me nuts last November. I guess the best way to do this and keep everyone happy is to not do everything together, all the time. And also, since I'm such a Disney control freak (mostly because we've taken more trips and know the in's and out's of WDW), I don't want to alienate DD and her family. DH and I were planning to go to MNNSHP but since DD & family are going I think DH and I will sit it out to have some time by ourselves.

Any advice?

ouch- i know how it feels, wanting to spend time with them, but wanting alone time too. as others said, just make a few ADRs for the two of you only. and do you have to wait on DD to go to the park? why not just tell them you will meet them there, have them call when she arrives after shopping? It's not like you planned this entire trip as going together to begin with, so i wouldn't plan on waiting on them all the time- go do what you want, decide when it makes sense to be together or meet up.

 

[jjiillee]

stephgles - I noticed we are at 1900 Park Fare at almost the same time and at Crystal Palace at the same time!

 

[summerlady]

Biteing ones tongue is the hardest part of spending time with family for sure. My one Ddil has panic attacks when in crowds so having to leave a park when I was not quite ready to yet was not good but I did not let out a peep. Or when I wanted to shop a little longer but she wanted to do something else, I am like your DD I can look look look for hours then end up heading back to the first place to buy something
I think decideing where to eat or what to eat is the hardest with a group but even that can work out, we stopped one day at Yorkshire Cty Fish Shop in Epcot, Ddil did not like the fish so my DS ate hers then we separated and he went with her over to either Japan or China I forget now for sure while DH and I went our own way , met up after Illuminations and headed back together to OKW

I do like the idea of splitting up to do different things instead of being in a big old clump together all the time. I like to shop on our way out of a park, especially Main St., that way we can ride the train right after rope drop and ride Splash and then get FP's. Then when we're leaving, I can dawdle along and go to the shops without feeling like I'm "wasting" time. Yeah, I know.

A little backstory: DD (and DGD as well) went through a very messy divorce 5 years ago and lived with DH and I for a few months until she got back on her feet again. She recently got remarried to a terrific man and all is well, I never imagined this 5 years ago. But I still find myself having to bite my tongue now and then because she was so dependent on me and DH for awhile. I remind myself that whatever decisions she makes now it's none of my business. Eeeek! Also, her new DH is the dad of a 7 year old daughter and his ex has decided that she won't allow their DD to go on the trip to WDW. Very sad, especially for my DGD who loves having a younger stepsister and was excited about them being together on vacation, and of course for the 7 year old.

 

[summerlady]

ouch- i know how it feels, wanting to spend time with them, but wanting alone time too. as others said, just make a few ADRs for the two of you only. and do you have to wait on DD to go to the park? why not just tell them you will meet them there, have them call when she arrives after shopping? It's not like you planned this entire trip as going together to begin with, so i wouldn't plan on waiting on them all the time- go do what you want, decide when it makes sense to be together or meet up.

Planning to do just as you said. I booked an ADR for 8:05 breakfast at the Crystal Palace, there is NO way DD will be able to get herself out early enough to be there on time. I think it'll end up just being DH and I and DGD, and that's ok! I don't want to get stressed about things I won't able to do anything about, I want all of us to have a nice, relaxed vacation and the only way that's going to happen is if we don't do everything together at the same time. Everybody's got a cell phone and can keep in contact about where to meet, etc.

 

[sjs314]

I do like the idea of splitting up to do different things instead of being in a big old clump together all the time. I like to shop on our way out of a park, especially Main St., that way we can ride the train right after rope drop and ride Splash and then get FP's. Then when we're leaving, I can dawdle along and go to the shops without feeling like I'm "wasting" time. Yeah, I know.

A little backstory: DD (and DGD as well) went through a very messy divorce 5 years ago and lived with DH and I for a few months until she got back on her feet again. She recently got remarried to a terrific man and all is well, I never imagined this 5 years ago. But I still find myself having to bite my tongue now and then because she was so dependent on me and DH for awhile. I remind myself that whatever decisions she makes now it's none of my business. Eeeek! Also, her new DH is the dad of a 7 year old daughter and his ex has decided that she won't allow their DD to go on the trip to WDW. Very sad, especially for my DGD who loves having a younger stepsister and was excited about them being together on vacation, and of course for the 7 year old.

Oh that is a shame his daughter can not go, I am sure it would be so much more fun for your Dgd to have her stepsister there too