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

[baloo's girl]

Welcome! DH & I are also staying at WL from Oct 19 to 25 and going to MNSSHP on 10/21. I am keeping my fingers crossed it is not too busy also since it is on a Friday, but I did read that many times the non-discounted parties are not as busy.......we can hope. Just have to hope all the locals head over to F&W that Friday

Our last night is 10/21, so that's why I want to do that party-go out with a bang. But also with my crazy planning, I'm looking at going to DHS the day before, Thursday 10/20. Do ya'll think I'm nuts for trying this? Its a F! and Evening EMH. We generally like evening EMHs and I'm not sure that we will actually watch F! (we're all about the rides). Should I rethink this strategy? DO you think "crowds" will be awful, even though this is suppose to be a slow week?

I keep messing with ADRs too. For some reason, I'm not thrilled with my line-up and I don't have any new places on our list. And because this trip is a surprise for the kids, I can't really get their imput. Its so hard to keep quiet!

But nonetheless, I'm so excited!!!!

 

[iteach7th]

I'm looking at going to DHS the day before, Thursday 10/20. Do ya'll think I'm nuts for trying this? Its a F! and Evening EMH. We generally like evening EMHs and I'm not sure that we will actually watch F! (we're all about the rides). Should I rethink this strategy? DO you think "crowds" will be awful, even though this is suppose to be a slow week?

Two years ago when we went during fall break - for us that is Columbus Day week - we did DHS on a day where there was no F! and the crowds were manageable. We went back the next day because the kids wanted to ride Toy Story again and the crowd level was about double. The first day - TSM was a walk on until around noon. The second day (F! night) - all the fast passes for TSM were gone by 11. We wound up getting disgusted with the crowd level and leaving for another park. I am thinking it was Wed/Thurs of that week and most of the crowds in the other parks had died down a little from the holiday weekend.

I have noticed they have gone to nightly showing of F! during the month of Sept. but it is still spread out for Oct.

 

[lmc318]

I just saw that Eugene is no longer in the Tangled meet and greet.

DD loves Rapunzel and Eugene (we don't call him Flynn in our house ). I would have loved for her to meet both of them together. I hope they bring all the boys back when the fantasyland expansion is done. I don't like that you can only see some of them in parades and shows.

 

[baloo's girl]

Two years ago when we went during fall break - for us that is Columbus Day week - we did DHS on a day where there was no F! and the crowds were manageable. We went back the next day because the kids wanted to ride Toy Story again and the crowd level was about double. The first day - TSM was a walk on until around noon. The second day (F! night) - all the fast passes for TSM were gone by 11. We wound up getting disgusted with the crowd level and leaving for another park. I am thinking it was Wed/Thurs of that week and most of the crowds in the other parks had died down a little from the holiday weekend.

I have noticed they have gone to nightly showing of F! during the month of Sept. but it is still spread out for Oct.

I appreciate your imput. I suppose we could do MNSSHP on 10/20 and DHS on 10/21... Lots to think about.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

We are planning on doing MNSSHP near the beginning of our vacation so that we have alternate nights later in case of bad weather, illness, etc. Probably won't buy tickets until we get to Orlando and have a firmer grip on the weather....just hope our first choice isn't sold out...but we have 2 more MNSSHP nights while there...jic Hoping for 10/25 with 10/27 as 2nd choice and 10/28 would be last chance/choice.

 

[smitch425]

I just saw that Eugene is no longer in the Tangled meet and greet.

DD loves Rapunzel and Eugene (we don't call him Flynn in our house ). I would have loved for her to meet both of them together. I hope they bring all the boys back when the fantasyland expansion is done. I don't like that you can only see some of them in parades and shows.

Eugene will be appearing with Rapunzel at MNSSHP!

 

[sjs314]

Our last night is 10/21, so that's why I want to do that party-go out with a bang. But also with my crazy planning, I'm looking at going to DHS the day before, Thursday 10/20. Do ya'll think I'm nuts for trying this? Its a F! and Evening EMH. We generally like evening EMHs and I'm not sure that we will actually watch F! (we're all about the rides). Should I rethink this strategy? DO you think "crowds" will be awful, even though this is suppose to be a slow week?

I keep messing with ADRs too. For some reason, I'm not thrilled with my line-up and I don't have any new places on our list. And because this trip is a surprise for the kids, I can't really get their imput. Its so hard to keep quiet!

But nonetheless, I'm so excited!!!!

My last expierence with DHS on a night they were having F! was horrible. It was wall to wall people, it was so bad my Ddil had a panic attack and we had to leave the park after about only an hour. Being that when we will be there it is not only a F! night but also PM EMH scares me to death so I plan on avoiding DHS during the day and if they add a second show of F! that evening, then we might head over just to see that, depending on the crowds stay for EMH or head back to the resort if it is crazy busy.

I have a feeling we will most likely just stay at Epcot that evening since we have dinner planned and the eat to the beat concerts that night are with former members of ELO which DH wants to see. Also I am thinking Epcot might be a good place to be since DHS and MK(MNSSHP) could draw the crowds that night.

I have DHS planned for Friday morning(hopefully crowds will be low because of the EMH the previous night), and leaving after lunch to head back to WL to rest up for MNSSHP that night.

 

[martyshoney]

I was trying to hold off on booking my trip to see if any deals come out but I got too antsy and booked it yesterday! We are heading to POFQ Oct. 27th - Nov. 2nd! It's a surprise trip for my kids since our one last year got cancelled! We are hoping to keep it from them until we pick them up from school to head to the airport!!

 

[amelia1]

I am planning the same trip except the kids have to be back in school on the 2nd so we are heading home Nov. 1st. I want to book but am waiting to see if any discounts come out. Did you get the vibe that there are still plenty of rooms at POFQ?

I was trying to hold off on booking my trip to see if any deals come out but I got too antsy and booked it yesterday! We are heading to POFQ Oct. 27th - Nov. 2nd! It's a surprise trip for my kids since our one last year got cancelled! We are hoping to keep it from them until we pick them up from school to head to the airport!!

 

[Parla]

Yesterday I hit double digits. I didn't have time for disboards though so I was dancing with myself.

AT changed my flight already too. BOO!!!!!!!!!!!! we leave DFW at 12:15 or so, arrive ATL at like 3:15 and were supposed to be on a 4:30, arriving Orlando at 6. Now the connection is bumped back to 5pm (which i guess gives us more time so that we don't miss the connection if the first flight is behind)......and we arrive at 6:30pm- so lost 30 minutes. boo!!! I don't fly AT often, so not used to all the changes like this. I hope there won't be too many more, or they would be earlier, not later!

Except for coming home right? That one should be later rather than earlier.

Welcome! i am doing a basket surprise for my little guy who will be turning 4 the week after our trip (Oct 30th). So far, i have

• mickey halloween candy corn ears (great travelling Disney warehouse sale last year we caught in Dallas- got on clearance!)
• candy
• flashlights
• light up necklaces
• coloring books
• pens
• having a DIS friend buy a WS passport from Epcot for us prior to trip
• sunglasses
• rub on tattoos and stickers
• new pajamas (yet to buy!)
• maybe a new costume- we have a Peter Pan one he loves, but he just might outgrow it by then!!!
• going to get a few more ideas before then- probably a few t-shirts from the disney outlet nearby (and whatever else fun they might have)

btw- this disney warehouse sale we caught last year was AWESOME! it had WDW and DL merchandise, plus TDS stuff. Bags, clothes, keepsakes, hats, all sorts of cute stuff. Just check the site often and they will post up the locations where they move to. They were apparently in the dallas area for over a month last year (sort of like those halloween or Christmas stores that pop up temporarily). http://www.ams-liquidation.com/ He said they would be back again this year- i hope so! I see they have a Las Vegas location and I am there for 6 nights for work later this month, so i plan to try and hit it up!!!!!
that sounds awesome! your kids will love it! How old are your kiddos? Heck, i am almost 38 and still love surprises (and my mom still does them for our trips too!)

don't work too hard!!! happy 4th!!!

Love all your stuff. Passports to put in the bag beforehand sound like a great idea. I need to research those more. Do you think an 8 and 12 year old would like those?

Now my "kids" are technically grown ups (I don't know how that happened when I often still feel like I am eleven.....) but we still love the planning and the prizes. Next weekend I am hosting our official Planning Party with both daughters and one boyfriend - complete with viewing the Planning DVD, other DVR programs, trivia contests (with prizes such as Disney gift cards to be used at Food & Wine Festival, Disney themed water bottles, rain ponchos, travel gear etc...), Disney desserts, choosing restaurants.... I wonder if a pinata would be too much?????
Now if only Disney would come out with the Fall discounts, so that I can possibly upgrade and share that with my excited brood....

Dawn

Can you adopt me please?

Take the 4 person, and then when you get there simply tell them that a member of your party is no longer joining you. This is not an uncommon problem, but because it is computerized, the system wants to maximize the table space, and would prefer that a table for 4 is actually filled by 4 people, even though it's perfectly capable of holding only 3, KWIM?

Good tip. I will have to remember that if my mom ever follows through on her threat to go with us. I would imagine tables for 5 are harder to come by.

Oct 22-29.

For Christmas last year, my Mom bought us Disney luggage by Heys. I'm so excited because it's so light - we should be able to stuff it full and not go over the weight limit!

Love your luggage!

 

[sjs314]

Yesterday I hit double digits. I didn't have time for disboards though so I was dancing with myself.

For double digits

101 here and anxiously waiting to do the double digit dance myself

 

[tlenzendorf]

Good tip. I will have to remember that if my mom ever follows through on her threat to go with us. I would imagine tables for 5 are harder to come by.

We have 5 and we got everything we wanted this trip and the one two times ago(last trip was just DBF and I). I wouldn't worry too much about bringing mom along

 

[Family Loves Disney]

Just got home from work! Worked 5 12 hour shifts out of 7 days, this should be a good paycheck for WDW money.

I am spending the day with the kids going to watch the new Transformers movie. Then I am probably going to go to bed early since I'm not planning on sleeping this morning. If I have a burst of energy today, I will update the list, if not then it will be tomorrow. If you want your info on the list, please PM me. I appreciate it.

 

[becauseisaid]

btw- this disney warehouse sale we caught last year was AWESOME! <snippety snip> http://www.ams-liquidation.com/

OMG - Thank you so much for the link! I had no idea about this place and apparently their headquarters and a permanent store are approximately 20 minutes away from my house. I am so excited to go see what they have!

 

[sjs314]

Just got home from work! Worked 5 12 hour shifts out of 7 days, this should be a good paycheck for WDW money.

I am spending the day with the kids going to watch the new Transformers movie. Then I am probably going to go to bed early since I'm not planning on sleeping this morning. If I have a burst of energy today, I will update the list, if not then it will be tomorrow. If you want your info on the list, please PM me. I appreciate it.

I got tired just reading that you worked all those hours. Enjoy your day with the kids and squeeze in some time for that much needed rest.

 

[Mom2micayla]

Morning everyone

Thought I'd post this here before I did on the general board, but I have a 11:30a ADR for Le Cellier on Saturday Oct 15th for a party of 6 I'm going to cancel. If anyone would like it and wants to coordinate, just lmk.

 

[rkrushing4]

Hello Everyone! We are the Rushings and I come to these boards to feel normal since the rest of the world thinks I'm a Disney Nut. My family, DH, DD21, DD17 and I will be returning to Disney on October 12 thru the 19th and staying at POR. This will be our 9th and 10th(DH and I) trip but my mom who has never been too Disney is coming with us. (which is why we are repeating at POR) We are looking forward to showing her the Disney that we love and are so obsessed with. Still hoping for a Disney discount of some kind. We are doing MNSSHP on the 16th and hoping for Wishes Dessert Party to come back. We have also chose this time of year because love Food and Wine. Can't wait to snack my way around the World.

 

[exwdwcm]

Our trip is adults only - Just DH and me But we're still doing it all - Hoop de do, Luau, MNSSHP, Haunted Carriage, Crystal Palace...

I know it's for kids but ... has anyone done the Kim Possible activity at EPCOT? What'd you think?

hey adults only, no problem! heck, i've seen someone travelling solo having breakfast at CP!! It is for everyone, not just kids. I am with you on the kim possible. I think my DS is too young (turning 4 a week after our trip) to get it, but i keep thinking how cool it looks for ME! i would have no problem doing it for myself.

I wish I could surprise DS, but he's not really old enough to "get it" especially since we've been a few times.

i know, i am not sure i could keep a secret that long and DS has been twice already and now with DVC, we will go every year. I have to surprise him with some of the extras we do instead!

I'm with you on the AT thing! Our flight ultimately is only 30 minutes later getting in, but still - we have tickets that day! My DH's friend got bumped from a nonstop flight and had to call and get back on a NS for that day. I'm not paying all that money for a NS just to get bumped! Now I see SW rates are actually going down to about what I paid for AT, but how would you have known at the time?? They were so expensive when I bought! I'm almost hoping AT bumps us again so I can call and cancel and buy the SW flight for my original time!!!

The list looks awesome! We have one similar for DD!

So much fun!!! I want to plan with you all!!!

I know, it is only 30 mins but that is 30 mins in disney i am missing! we have APs, so we aren't losing out on a park ticket, but still! I would be pissed if i got bumped from a NS. I haven't even checked SW. At least on AT, our flight home is NS, that isn't even an option for SW through Dallas- all their flights have connections. I HATE connections. We never had had one to WDW before. We always fly direct with AA, but all the prices were outrageous this year.

Our last night is 10/21, so that's why I want to do that party-go out with a bang. But also with my crazy planning, I'm looking at going to DHS the day before, Thursday 10/20. Do ya'll think I'm nuts for trying this? Its a F! and Evening EMH. We generally like evening EMHs and I'm not sure that we will actually watch F! (we're all about the rides). Should I rethink this strategy? DO you think "crowds" will be awful, even though this is suppose to be a slow week?

We were considering DHS for that exact same night (we are there 14-22). Once i saw it was F! night AND EMH, it is a NO NO!!! F! makes it crazy enough, add in EMH and it will be insane. no way are we even doing that- pure torture. Even though it is a slower week, i think you could still be in for crowds. if you aren't plannign to see F!, i would seriously consider doing it another night instead.

Yesterday I hit double digits. I didn't have time for disboards though so I was dancing with myself.
Love all your stuff. Passports to put in the bag beforehand sound like a great idea. I need to research those more. Do you think an 8 and 12 year old would like those?

i would think the kids would still enjoy them- at least the 8yo, not sure on the 12yo. it is fun having something to do, sort of like a treasure hunt for them!

OMG - Thank you so much for the link! I had no idea about this place and apparently their headquarters and a permanent store are approximately 20 minutes away from my house. I am so excited to go see what they have!

no problem! please head over and let us know if they have good stuff (take pics!!!!) I see there is one in Las Vegas and i hope to stop and check it out later this month. I keep checking the site to see when/if they are coming back to Dallas. Last year, i think it was in the early fall they were here. I know the employee checking us out said they were heading to OKC next last year after Dallas. not sure where all they go, but it sounded like quite a few stops.

 

[PoohNFriends]

You guys are both flying Southwest? Out of Milwaukee?
Hmmmm??...when I booked, AirTran was cheaper - but now I'm questioning that decision!/QUOTE]


We are actually flying SW out of Midway. I found it to be cheaper with better flights and times. We are driving down Friday evening the 21st and will do sleep/park/fly for only about $40 more than just parking at MKE and it will save us about $200 overall. By the time we decided to buy tickets, flights out of MKE were WAY too high for my budget so I started looking for alternatives. There is also a chance we may cancel the trip and do Washington DC in spring so I wanted the flexibility that only SW offers.

We're in IL, but DBF has family in Pewaukee & Hartland. When we flew AirTran in May to Cali we headed up to MKE because prices and times were better there. The same was not true for Oct for either SW or AirTran - less times available and fares were higher. So we're also flying SW out of Midway on the 22nd also. What time is your flight? We leave at noonish, have a stop in Columbus, OH then get to MCO close to 6p. I wanted earlier flight times or 1-way but this worked best to take advantage of the SW $80 sale from last month. I think we leave MCO 11a-something on the 29th.

I'm already at $1586.50 for the 5 of us and haven't paid for luggage yet. (Hopefully we will only have 2 or 3 bags though since we can do laundry in our Villa this year ).

If I remember correctly, another reason I went with AirTran is because of their flight schedule....They had alot more flights to/from Orlando - and we are very "picky" about our flight times!



Suprisingly - we haven't had any significant changes to our flight times yet! But we still have over 3 months to go!

When I was pricing flights several months ago AirTran was cheaper, even considering bag fees (depending on how many bags needed to be checked). The times were also better - nicer options to get to WDW earlier on day 1 and leave later on the last day. But I kept waiting hoping for something better and was able to take advantage of the SW sale (that I mentiond above).

I think Thursday many of us can hop on here and do the Double-Digit-Dance -- can't wait !

 

[srauchbauer]

we have told DD and DS when and where we are going - they love to help plan. But we are surprising them with an upgrade to CBR. Also we decided to upgrade to the deluxe dining plan. Both kids think we are going to disney without any character meals. But oh won't they be surprised when on the first night we seat down at CRT (okay DS won't be thrilled but he wil enjoy it). During the whole week i have character meals planned for breakfasts then a nice meal (2 pointer) for DH and myself to enjoy. The kids will have to color and play there video games while i have a nice fancy meal.