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

[Heath_Bar]

In case anyone is paying OOP for charater meals, I called to get correct pricing (I had found seveal different prices online). There is a price increase starting Oct 2, and these meals are as follows:

All are for breakfast character meals and do not include tax or tip.
Chef Mickey = 30.88 & 17.03
Crystal Palace = 26.49 & 15.97
Tusker House = 26.62 & 14.90

But this is actually cheaper than I found online. Both CP and TH are $10 less per person. Makes me wonder if they inflate the prices shown to help sell the DP or if online is just peak.

 

[exwdwcm]

Moving out of the 80s and into the 70s.....Days that is! 79!!!!!! Oh, how I wish there were a Disney Outlet within a few hours radius. As it is the nearest Disney Store is 3 hours away!

Dawn

woo hoo! Sorry TDS is so far! I am so lucky to have that outlet nearby, and they only started carrying the park merchandise in the last few years, but I love it. I was trying to make it to the outlet in Las Vegas, but just didn't have time. I did, however, make it over to the Earle of Sandwich for lunch one day in Vegas. Just a taste of disney!

Just saw that free dining was added for OCtober and am kind of glad that it is not available my week...but also wondering why it isn't. Any thoughts?? Its Oct 15-22nd. Why would that be blacked out?

i saw someone else already posted all the groups and things going on. The convention stuff affects the hotels, but not the parks at all. I agree with the touring plans ratings (1-2s)- i don't think the parks will be supercrowded at all, only on the weekend maybe. we are there the 14-22nd and i am not worried about the crowds. in fact, like you, i am happy there is no FD during our week! we are staying on DVC points and can't get it anyhow. is that a little selfish of me?

My next task to work on is getting a rental car for our two days at Universal. We are staying at the Dolphin, so the plan is to get a car from their Alamo/National kiosk in the morning then return it the next night. I haven't been able to find much in the way of a deal (10% is the best so far) so I just have to give in and book it.

So many details to sort out. Really though, I am not complaining. Trip planning is so much fun. Just the thought that I am going to Disneyworld in 65 days puts a smile on my face.

on the rental car.....i rented something a few months out last year, but i noticed the prices went down the closer we got to the trip. in fact about a week or two out, i rebooked with National and saved $100. so keep checking. It is so easy to book and then cancel and rebook something better online. be sure and visit this page on mousesavers- they always list the current codes/coupons etc. to use. I use their page every time when booking a car to save a few bucks! http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html

Ah, should've known. I'm not a Vera Bradley fan, which is why it probably didn't register. I know they're HUGE though.

So &*@!##!!! AirTran just bumped our flight back another 15 minutes, which brings our total delay leaving to an hour 15 and our total delay arriving at an hour. That's with the schedule. Who knows what it'll actually be that day? SW flight prices have gone back up a bit, so it's not worth canceling and changing our flights for the hour delay right now, but I'm keeping my eye out. This just annoys the crap out of me, though, because now we arrive in Orlando at 2:15, right SMACK in the middle of what should be DD's nap and there is going to be NO chance I will even be able to get her to sleep in her stroller when we get to the parks, which is what I was hoping for. By the time we get there and checked in and to the parks, it'll be 4 at the earliest, and that's past our window and only an hour away from dinner, so I'm praying we can just have some quiet time on the plane and maybe walking around the resort when we get in now. I am SO furious with this AirTran nonsense!! This bumping flight times is crap! 15 minutes here, an hour there. Why even schedule a damned flight??? Just have people book a day and tell them a week before what time to show up. That's basically what they're doing anyway! Sheesh! (sorry for the vent.)

i hate it too. we are booked with them as well and they've already delayed us once too. it is only by 30 minutes, but that is a lot when you are losing time in WDW!!!

I'll have to side with your DBF on this one! I love my iPhone maps app. It will get me ANYWHERE! Far better than Google maps or MapQuest or any GPS I've ever used! I love watching the little blue dot, representing me, travel down the road to my destination. It's excellent!

I'm going to have to check out that T!

I agree, I LOVE my maps. I use it all the time. I will never ever use a GPS again.

OMGoodness, this summer has flown by. The kids started school yesterday and I am now a mom to a 3rd grader and a middle schooler (6th grader) Where has the time gone, I remember them being babies yesterday and now they are growing up. Justin said he didn't want to be called Justin anymore, he wants to be called JT!

Now that school is back in session, I will have more time to devote to my second family. Sorry I have not been here for awhile. I will update the list tomorrow. Although, my schedule for work is weird this month because of all the activities scheduled for this month and for our vaca in October. Justin has Equestrian Special Olympics next weekend and this upcoming weekend we are going to camp with a support group for special needs and medically fragile children (we go every year at this time). So my boss is making me work during the week, if I want to be off for the next 2 weekends. She knows that I do not have child care for the kids, but she is making me do it anyway. UGH! I worked this past weekend on the OB floor and LOVED it! They are needing help and I may transfer, they are willing to work with me on my schedule.

Another change is our costumes. Justin is playing football and Maddie is cheerleading, so instead of buying costumes, we are going to take their uniforms and they are going as a football player and cheerleader. We will still do BBB and the Pirates League, we just won't buy the costumes. It comes out cheaper. Justin wants to be a pirate football player and Maddie will be a Princess Cheerleader. LOL.

Sorry for the long post, I just missed you all and thought I could vent a little. to all.

welcome back! the OB floor sounds fun! Hope Justin does well next weekend! LOL at us being your second family- that is so sweet!

 

[LBollengier]

Just booked an Illuminations "Specialty" cruise for OCTOBER 8!! Have room for more! There is a max of 10 on the cruise and we only have 4!!

From what I had heard it was almost impossible to book these... Well here we are less than 60 days out and I just booked for October 8th!!!

We are supposed to meet at the Yacht Club Bay Side Marina 1 hour prior to Illuminations that evening - due to Food & Wine they are saying that Illuminations will be at 10PM. so probably a little before 9 then we will all meet.

There are 4 of us and the maximum is 10 so we can take up to 6 more. I'd like to split the cost equally. The cost for the boat is $346.13 with the tax and such. So if we have 10 people it will be less than $35 each (before suggested gratuity.) It is customary to give your "captain" a gratuity.* A credit card guarantee is due at the time of booking, but full payment is not due until time of service.

So if you would like to join with our little band of Disney fans!! Me & DH (extremely young fifties) ... DD17 & DD11 - send me a post!!


Check out article & lots of pics from someone who did this:
http://www.disunplugged.com/2009/07/24/illuminations-cruise-at-epcot/


(Note: the price has gone up slightly since this article in 2009)

See more info here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fireworks.htm

 

[ociana]

That cruise looks fantastic! We have already maxed out our "extras" budget, but it would be very cool for a future trip.

 

[thumperjr9]

Just booked an Illuminations "Specialty" cruise for OCTOBER 8!! Have room for more! There is a max of 10 on the cruise and we only have 4!!

From what I had heard it was almost impossible to book these... Well here we are less than 60 days out and I just booked for October 8th!!!

We are supposed to meet at the Yacht Club Bay Side Marina 1 hour prior to Illuminations that evening - due to Food & Wine they are saying that Illuminations will be at 10PM. so probably a little before 9 then we will all meet.

There are 4 of us and the maximum is 10 so we can take up to 6 more. I'd like to split the cost equally. The cost for the boat is $346.13 with the tax and such. So if we have 10 people it will be less than $35 each (before suggested gratuity.) It is customary to give your "captain" a gratuity.* A credit card guarantee is due at the time of booking, but full payment is not due until time of service.

So if you would like to join with our little band of Disney fans!! Me & DH (extremely young fifties) ... DD17 & DD11 - send me a post!!


Check out article & lots of pics from someone who did this:
http://www.disunplugged.com/2009/07/24/illuminations-cruise-at-epcot/


(Note: the price has gone up slightly since this article in 2009)

See more info here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fireworks.htm

Now that sounds tempting....always wanted to do an Illuminations cruise. In fact 10/8 totally fits in our schedule. I think I'll have to check with my crew (DH and DS12) and let you know.

 

[anjalee6]

Just made my final payment. I am so excited! Feels a little more official now.

 

[sjs314]

Just made my final payment. I am so excited! Feels a little more official now.

Feels great when you pay your trip off!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I can finally join this thread!!!

DH said yesterday that I could book a trip for Oct 12 - 18!! I'm just checking AAA to see what discount they can get me and then I'll book it. I'm so excited. I have to go change my ticker now.

 

[im4kycats]

I can finally join this thread!!!

DH said yesterday that I could book a trip for Oct 12 - 18!! I'm just checking AAA to see what discount they can get me and then I'll book it. I'm so excited. I have to go change my ticker now.

Congrats!

Where are you going to stay?

 

[tinkmom2]

I can finally join this thread!!!

DH said yesterday that I could book a trip for Oct 12 - 18!! I'm just checking AAA to see what discount they can get me and then I'll book it. I'm so excited. I have to go change my ticker now.

Cool! We are at WDW during the same time

 

[twoplustwins]

I am really trying to plan an October trip!

We had planned on going in November, but had to cancel that trip. I will be teaching this fall. We planned that trip before I got the position. For the first time, our school is having a Fall Break in October. There is a Y.E.S. class that DD can take, so we would save a lot on tickets. So, fellow DISers, please think happy, positive thoughts for us!!!!!

 

[lmc318]

I am really trying to plan an October trip!

We had planned on going in November, but had to cancel that trip. I will be teaching this fall. We planned that trip before I got the position. For the first time, our school is having a Fall Break in October. There is a Y.E.S. class that DD can take, so we would save a lot on tickets. So, fellow DISers, please think happy, positive thoughts for us!!!!!

Happy thoughts to you!!

And I love your profile pic! Such a cute pic of the twins!!!

 

[ociana]

I am really trying to plan an October trip!

We had planned on going in November, but had to cancel that trip. I will be teaching this fall. We planned that trip before I got the position. For the first time, our school is having a Fall Break in October. There is a Y.E.S. class that DD can take, so we would save a lot on tickets. So, fellow DISers, please think happy, positive thoughts for us!!!!!

Good luck! which YES class are you eyeing? We are signed up with my sons for the morning of 10/21 in DHS..I forget what it's called, but you get to go into the Tower of Terror. It sounds like so much fun.

 

[tlenzendorf]

The 10/21 class is the one that we REALLY wanted to do! We are doing the 10/25 Wild By Nature class with Laurie and her family. We take up half the class with just our 2 families

 

[ociana]

on the rental car.....i rented something a few months out last year, but i noticed the prices went down the closer we got to the trip. in fact about a week or two out, i rebooked with National and saved $100. so keep checking. It is so easy to book and then cancel and rebook something better online. be sure and visit this page on mousesavers- they always list the current codes/coupons etc. to use. I use their page every time when booking a car to save a few bucks! http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html

Thanks for the rental car tip. After doing some searching and comparing, I think we are going to just take a taxi each way. It comes out to the same price as the rental car when you add parking costs and I don't have to drive! My hubby is going to be on a decent amount of vicodin (he has a foot condition that is exacerbated by standing and walking too much) so I will be the only driver. Having to drive would make our visit to Margaritaville for dinner a bit less festive

 

[lmbcdb]

Finally nailed down all our CS meals. I like to plan these, or at least have a few options, so that we try something new. I've heard there are so many awesome CS restaurants, (especially at Epcot) and I want to make sure we don't just eat burgers and fries the whole trip.

1st time:
Flame Tree BBQ
Pizza Planet (I tried to talk my son out of this one, but no go...)
Fairfax Fare
ABC Commissary (I know, plain ole CS stuff, but what else is there at HS?)
Pecos Bill
Tangeriene Cafe


repeat visit:
Sunshine Seasons
Columbia Harbour House

DD3 and I also made our countdown chain today. Boy, does it look long:

 

[lmbcdb]

Good luck! which YES class are you eyeing? We are signed up with my sons for the morning of 10/21 in DHS..I forget what it's called, but you get to go into the Tower of Terror. It sounds like so much fun.

What are these classes and how do you get in them?

 

[lmc318]

Finally nailed down all our CS meals. I like to plan these, or at least have a few options, so that we try something new. I've heard there are so many awesome CS restaurants, (especially at Epcot) and I want to make sure we don't just eat burgers and fries the whole trip.

1st time:
Flame Tree BBQ
Pizza Planet (I tried to talk my son out of this one, but no go...)
Fairfax Fare
ABC Commissary (I know, plain ole CS stuff, but what else is there at HS?)
Pecos Bill
Tangeriene Cafe


repeat visit:
Sunshine Seasons
Columbia Harbour House

DD3 and I also made our countdown chain today. Boy, does it look long:

A countdown chain! What a fantastic idea! I love it!!

I'm planning my CS meals this year as well because of being newly gluten free now. I need to get an idea of what is served where so I'm not scrambling. I can comment on some of your first timers:

Flame Tree BBQ - I love this place. They have unique food and I love the pulled pork sandwich. (I was so happy to find out I can still eat this one on a gluten free roll.) I've heard the ribs are a little fatty, but the sandwich and the chicken are outstanding.

Pizza Planet (I tried to talk my son out of this one, but no go...) As far as DHS goes, I think this is your best bet. It's hard to go wrong with pizza.

ABC Commissary (I know, plain ole CS stuff, but what else is there at HS?) - this place is awful in my opinion. I've eaten there twice and both times I thought the food was just horrendous. I've heard great things about the sandwiches at Starring Rolls, so you might want to check them out.

Pecos Bill - I love Peco Bills because it's right next to what is now Tortuga Tavern and I love that I can get some tacos and my DH can get a burger!

Tangeriene Cafe - have never eaten here but I've heard great things about it!

 

[im4kycats]

DD3 and I also made our countdown chain today. Boy, does it look long:

I love this! I see you have a cat in the picture - my cat would not allow this chain to exist for more than the time it took me to get it hung in the doorway!

 

[eyeslikeanocean]

This is my families first Disney World trip, We are going Oct 15-22! So excited! ( i went twice before i was 12 but not since and DH and DS(8) have never been, and DS(8) has never flown) DS knows we are planning a trip but told him it would be a long time b/c we need to save a little extra money, I'm going to get my parents to tell him they are picking someone up from the airport, and he has to ride with them which is not a stretch because he stays with them a lot because i work. Then when they get inside, my husband and I will be waiting inside and be all like " SUPPRISE!, We are getting on a plane and leaveing right now!" Ahh I'm soo excited! But it is SOOO hard to keep my mouth shut and not talk about it. SO I joined DISboards for an outlet!

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