***OFFICIAL*** October 2011 - Updated 10/08/11

[exwdwcm]

Eekk, so DH wants to rethink staying off site and had me price out staying at POP for 10 days (instead of the 7 off site). Comparing tickets, dining, and POP all together and off site/food/tickets/car rental, it's only about $100 difference for more days!! I'm sooo excited he's considering this!!! Though we would be at the resort without our own vehicle, but I feel with the extra days at least I won't feel so rushed with taking resort transportation. Do you think it's doable staying at a Disney Resort for 10 days with no vehicle? We are really only planning to be at the Disney Parks and then go to Universal/Harry Potter for one of the days we're there. We have no plans to go anywhere else.

yeah for staying onsite and longer! that's awesome news. have you made the final decision? it is totally doable to stay on site with no vehicle, that's how most folks do it. we prefer a car, but that's just our personal preference. You'll have the food court there, store for anything you might need and you can order groceries online if you need stuff delivered- we've used garden grocer 3x now and love it. You could always get a cab to Universal or a shuttle, i am sure there are a lot of options and it really isn't that far. Heck, we've taken a cab before from WL to the Dolphin for dinner (we were all drinking that night, so no one wanted to drive). it's easy and not too pricey.

I am going to start planning on October trip (DH is not to crazy about the idea), but I might as well have some fun. I am either thinking the first week in October or the last week. I know that the first week in DL is extremely slow and the closer to Halloween the busier it gets. Is this true with WDW? I have a feeling I will be going a lot of asking questions so please be patient.

tia

woo hoo! welcome aboard the October train! I have read the first week is actually more busy than the rest of the month. It is when Food and Wine opens usually (that first weekend tends to be busy for that), plus there is a 5k/race that weekend too. Then throw in columbus day and you will see slightly higher crowds than the rest of the month. I hear the two weeks in the middle are great, which is when we are going. some of our days are rated 1s on the crowd calendar!!

THANK YOU! Hope you enjoy MNSSHP! I'm sure whatever night you choose it will be fun. We are going as well and I can't wait to dress my 4-year old for the party! FUN!!

I know, my 4yo is going to have a blast. What are you going to dress your kiddo as? do you know? we have a Peter Pan costume, so we might dress him as that, unless something else comes along. Here he is the last 2 years- Capt Hook and then a trash can (he is obsessed with trash cans- and yes, he LOVED PUSH)!

here is what we are thinking this year- he loves the whole Jake and the Neverland Pirates show, so we think Peter Pan might work.

Ok, so here are our plans so far. We have a then 3yo DD so I've tried to make mornings and nap times relaxing times, focusing more on breakfasts with the characters than anything else.

For Saturday I don't know that I want to do character for our last day since it is usually a longer meal, but then again I really liked the breakfast at Ohana last time we were there and I thought since we're not doing parks that day, DD would enjoy seeing Mickey and pals the last day before we leave.

I really wish AK was open later since DD takes a nap around noon or 1 every day and she'll sleep 3 hours if we let her. I'm sure she will there since she'll be so exhausted! And HS we're doing just 1/2 a day there because if you're not big enough to do rides, there's a limited amount of things you can do. We'll do TSM and Ariel and such (will they have playhouse Disney since it's now Disney Jr.?), but that's it. That'll be a good day to hang at the resort for nap and until the party, which I'm hoping is on Thursday since no Wishes fireworks are listed for that day!! I don't want to do MNSSHP on Tuesday because DD will just want to do it again the next night and I don't want to do Friday because it'll be exhausting our last night, I think.

any suggestions on it for those who have been there with a toddler? We're trying to make this trip all about DD and really try to enjoy it through her eyes. Thus all the character and interactive meals!

Thanks!!
Lisa

i thnk doing a character breakfast (late) is a good idea for your last day, gives you something to look forward to before you leave!

yes, they have a new Playhouse Disney that features all the old favorites, but now they have added Jake and the Neverland Pirates, i think it replaced the Pooh characters. so it does feature the new Disney Jr. We can't wait to take Will to that, we might do it twice even! you should be good for MNSSHP on a thursday, i imagine it will be offered same nights as last year.

we just went last year (and year before)- both in DEcember with our little guy. He was 3 in December, and 2 before that. He really enjoyed the fireworks and loved the characters. We made time for him to nap each day with a 2 hour break in the room. That really helped. He isn't a nap in the stroller kid, but he did pass out at AK, since we stayed there until about 4. We made sure if we were doing rides or stuff he couldn't do, that we mixed in stuff for him too- including the playgrounds- like in AK/Dinoland, in HS (honey i shrunk the kids) etc. to let him run around and burn off energy. he did great on both trips- that midday nap allowed us to arrive at park opening, go until about 2pm, break, go back about 4 or 5 and stay until 10 or later sometimes.

 

[lmc318]

I like your Sat idea I have been several times w/ one child between the ages of 2-5.

Here are my best tips:

1) have a stroller w/ good storage and a comfy place your DD likes to rest in...keep 1 bag of misc things in the stroller and a sep pull out bag w/ diaper things if not yet potty-trained for going into washrooms and then just carry your personal items (ie money, tickets, cameras) on the rides...easier in and out.
2) go by their pace...take it slow, but ulilizae the slower times like 1st hr of opening and eat at off times early lunch and dinners to avoid crowds.
3) have a small goody bag of new toys, stickers, bubbles as line distractions and a mini flashlight for the dark rides
4) bring favortie snacks from home for those just in case moments
5) if all they want to eat is grapes and goldfish..it's ok
6) yes try to have a schedule in the sense of arrival, eating, breaks...but keep it flexible...Disney is not home...and you will not be able to mimic whatever schedule you keep at home...they will ease in and get back on track once back home after a week...
7) don't force them onto rides or characters because you think they will like it...
8) most of all have fun and experience the special little magic that comes from the unexpected little things

Thanks! This is very helpful! I am definitely willing to scrap any dining plan I have if it's not working out. I figure buffets will be best because DD can pick what she wants to eat. I think she'll like the princesses best which is why we're doing it at the beginning of the week. I've noticed kids scared of characters are usually not scared of human characters. We've tested DD out with things like the Chick-Fil-A cow in the mall and she seems fine, but you just never know. Last time we went my niece and nephew, then 5, were both TERRIFIED of the characters and I was always the one to tell them to stay at a distance, so I'll do that if DD is scared too. Times are definitely my biggest worry. I won't force DD to do anything, but I also don't want to be standing in line for meals because we missed ressies. Late breakfast/early dinner/early lunch I think is best, so that's what I've tried to do. We'll see! Above all I don't want to put any expectations on this trip other than to have fun. Last trip we expected to be able to do too much with our then 10 month old because my whole family was there. It turned out very disappointing because our expectations were too high. Entirely our fault. I don't want to do that again!!

 

[lmc318]

i thnk doing a character breakfast (late) is a good idea for your last day, gives you something to look forward to before you leave!

yes, they have a new Playhouse Disney that features all the old favorites, but now they have added Jake and the Neverland Pirates, i think it replaced the Pooh characters. so it does feature the new Disney Jr. We can't wait to take Will to that, we might do it twice even! you should be good for MNSSHP on a thursday, i imagine it will be offered same nights as last year.

we just went last year (and year before)- both in DEcember with our little guy. He was 3 in December, and 2 before that. He really enjoyed the fireworks and loved the characters. We made time for him to nap each day with a 2 hour break in the room. That really helped. He isn't a nap in the stroller kid, but he did pass out at AK, since we stayed there until about 4. We made sure if we were doing rides or stuff he couldn't do, that we mixed in stuff for him too- including the playgrounds- like in AK/Dinoland, in HS (honey i shrunk the kids) etc. to let him run around and burn off energy. he did great on both trips- that midday nap allowed us to arrive at park opening, go until about 2pm, break, go back about 4 or 5 and stay until 10 or later sometimes.

Thanks! I love the costumes!! That Oscar one is adorable!!

I'm glad Playhouse Disney is still there, but poor Pooh! My DD still loves Pooh and she barely watched it when it was on. At least we'll get to see him at Crystal Palace. DD isn't fond of Jake, but I'm sure she'd love the show regardless. She is a BIG Mickey girl. Well, Minnie and Daisy, but still!

Ugh! I'm dying here! I want October to be here already!!!

 

[MARsMama]

We are going to be at WDW in October 2011, too We actually arrive Sept. 28, but are staying until Oct. 10, so the majority of our stay will be in October. This is our first Fall trip as it's only our second time going to WDW and the first time was in March '09.
We are staying at POR for the first time. We were at ASMu for the last trip and were in a family suite, so we'll be in closer quarters this time around! lol
We are hoping to attend MNSSHP, do the tickets sell out quickly for the first part of October?
We will be celebrating dd's 12th birthday while we are there and are hoping to get ADRs for CRT. We can start making ADRs one week from today, so I'll know then if we can get in or need to make new plans for her special day.

 

[FigmentChick]

Welcome aboard! I will be sure to add you to the first post this afternoon. I am [probably} going to be staying at POR as well, but after you leave. Hubby and I have been talking about it the last couple of days (he's finally getting excited!) and we both think POR is a better choice for our family.

Glad to have you here!

 

[smitch425]

I read in another thread that people had gotten PINS with blackout dates from 10/9-10/22. I also saw that someone received a bounceback offer with those dates blacked out as well. Someone explained that there is a huge conference taking place at that time. Do you think there will ever be any type of discount offered for these dates??? We will pay full price if we have to, but I know some of you are hoping for discounts for this period and I just wanted to prepare you for the fact that we might be out of luck. We will be at the POP Oct. 15-23 and we were hoping for free dining, but now I'm not sure we'll get ANY type of discount at all! Does anyone have any other info? Anyone been there when this conference was taking place?

 

[snykymom]

Just booked my airfare! DH is still talking about maybe doing a road trip, but won't really know if he can until shortly before the trip. So I booked Southwest, since it has no change fees. If he decides that he can drive it, I'll postpone the flights; I'm sure I'll go somewhere Southwest flies within the year! It costs a little more now than it did last week, but not too horrifying.

Eekk, so DH wants to rethink staying off site and had me price out staying at POP for 10 days (instead of the 7 off site). Comparing tickets, dining, and POP all together and off site/food/tickets/car rental, it's only about $100 difference for more days!! I'm sooo excited he's considering this!!! Though we would be at the resort without our own vehicle, but I feel with the extra days at least I won't feel so rushed with taking resort transportation. Do you think it's doable staying at a Disney Resort for 10 days with no vehicle? We are really only planning to be at the Disney Parks and then go to Universal/Harry Potter for one of the days we're there. We have no plans to go anywhere else.

Perfectly doable without a car. My DH insists on having one, but the last two times that we went without him, we were just fine. You may want to budget for a cab or two as well, particularly if you are eating at a resort after park closing hours. Cabs around the Disney property aren't too expensive.

 

[lumpydj]

how do you do that? being DVC you can purcahase 2 diff DPP's or do you have two sep ressies???

DVC members can "segment" their reservations and add/remove/change people and the dining plan for each segment. Each segment can be divided up however you want. The jury is still out on how much of a pain this is to do. Some have reported that they were asked to check out of their rooms then back in for each segment.

Here are my plans - any comments or suggestions would be very helpful!

10/8
Arrive MCO 11:30 am
After check-in, head to MK
Late lunch/Early dinner at CRT
Dessert Party

10/9 – Free day
Breakfast – In room
Dinner – Cape May Clam Bake

10/10
Breakfast – In room
AK
Dinner at 7:15 at HDDR
Haunted Hayride at FW afterwards

10/11 – Free Day
Breakfast - Cape May
Go to MNSSHP (this will let us get into our costumes then go to the park)

10/12
Breakfast – In room
DHS
Lunch or Dinner – SciFi (DD’s pick)

10/13 – Free Day
Maybe go to MK if there's anything left that we want to do
Dinner – Ohana

10/14
Epcot
F&W
Lunch/Dinner – Le Cellier

10/15
Depart for airport at 10:30 am

 

[02AggieGirl]

Ok we will look over our plans this weekend and see if we need to change anything based on the new touring plans, but I *think* we will be able to keep what we have!

So we are going the last week in Oct. (23-29). As of right now, we are planning on going to MK on that Tuesday and Friday. Both days have MNSSHP and we are thinking of going to the party on that Friday night. We want to CRT, so since we will have already been there on Tuesday and are doing the party on Friday, do you think it's best to plan a late breakfast at CRT? That way our girls can sleep in and then we can get up and go to breakfast and do somethings in the park--maybe go back for a little bit?
OR get up early do the breakfast then stay in the park till after lunch, go back to the hotel and rest until we are ready to go back and then enjoy the party?

At the party, I want to focus more on the characters, parade, fireworks and trick-or-treating than rides. SO based on that......??? I would love any advice!

 

[lmc318]

Ok we will look over our plans this weekend and see if we need to change anything based on the new touring plans, but I *think* we will be able to keep what we have!

So we are going the last week in Oct. (23-29). As of right now, we are planning on going to MK on that Tuesday and Friday. Both days have MNSSHP and we are thinking of going to the party on that Friday night. We want to CRT, so since we will have already been there on Tuesday and are doing the party on Friday, do you think it's best to plan a late breakfast at CRT? That way our girls can sleep in and then we can get up and go to breakfast and do somethings in the park--maybe go back for a little bit?
OR get up early do the breakfast then stay in the park till after lunch, go back to the hotel and rest until we are ready to go back and then enjoy the party?

At the party, I want to focus more on the characters, parade, fireworks and trick-or-treating than rides. SO based on that......??? I would love any advice!

I vote option #2. From what I hear there is a lot going on at the party and it's best to rest up beforehand. I don't know how your youngest is, but if she's anything like my DD, who will be 3 then, she'll need that afternoon break. We did an early morning ressie at CRT last time we were down and I loved it. Much fewer people to get in than when we left around 10, so pics and such seemed easier. HTH!

 

[exwdwcm]

Thanks! I love the costumes!! That Oscar one is adorable!!

I'm glad Playhouse Disney is still there, but poor Pooh! My DD still loves Pooh and she barely watched it when it was on. At least we'll get to see him at Crystal Palace. DD isn't fond of Jake, but I'm sure she'd love the show regardless. She is a BIG Mickey girl. Well, Minnie and Daisy, but still!

Ugh! I'm dying here! I want October to be here already!!!

my son loves Pooh too, that is his first love. we will be doing breakfast at CP as well, it is a must each trip for that!

We are going to be at WDW in October 2011, too We actually arrive Sept. 28, but are staying until Oct. 10, so the majority of our stay will be in October. This is our first Fall trip as it's only our second time going to WDW and the first time was in March '09.
We are staying at POR for the first time. We were at ASMu for the last trip and were in a family suite, so we'll be in closer quarters this time around! lol
We are hoping to attend MNSSHP, do the tickets sell out quickly for the first part of October?
We will be celebrating dd's 12th birthday while we are there and are hoping to get ADRs for CRT. We can start making ADRs one week from today, so I'll know then if we can get in or need to make new plans for her special day.

I love POR- it is my favorite mod. We actually managed to have 4 adults and one toddler in a room before and managed okay. We put our suitcases under the bed and the toddler slept on the 'trundle'. Be prepared, that 'trundle' is really just a super thin mattress, i mean just a few inches thick. But it was fine for her.

crossing fingers you get your CRT ADR!! I am trying for one too.

I read in another thread that people had gotten PINS with blackout dates from 10/9-10/22. I also saw that someone received a bounceback offer with those dates blacked out as well. Someone explained that there is a huge conference taking place at that time. Do you think there will ever be any type of discount offered for these dates??? We will pay full price if we have to, but I know some of you are hoping for discounts for this period and I just wanted to prepare you for the fact that we might be out of luck. We will be at the POP Oct. 15-23 and we were hoping for free dining, but now I'm not sure we'll get ANY type of discount at all! Does anyone have any other info? Anyone been there when this conference was taking place?

Yes, i've read about the big conventions going on during that time- i think most are taking place over near the Epcot resorts, so a lot of rooms over there and at the Swan/Dolphin are booked I think. So far I haven't seen or heard of discounts, in fact like you, i've seen it 'blacked out'. That is one of the reasons we actually picked 10/14-10/22- we won't qualify for discounts anyhow since we are DVC, so i figured it was a good time to go- because no discounts = hopefully less crowded. But to be honest, there are HUGE conferences in Orlando and at disney all the time and that doesn't always affect discounts/blackouts, so that shouldn't really affect it. I work in marketing and have managed events for a long time, many at WDW, they are always going on, you just don't usually see them. I know the ones I have done, we rarely had time to visit the parks (in meetings/sessions all day) and if we did, it was only by purchasing a special after 4pm convention ticket to go for a few hours. I would imagine this convention will affect Epcot and Boardwalk area more than anything (maybe folks heading over to dinner/Food&Wine in the evenings). Who knows why those dates are blacked out now, maybe it will change.

Just booked my airfare! DH is still talking about maybe doing a road trip, but won't really know if he can until shortly before the trip. So I booked Southwest, since it has no change fees. If he decides that he can drive it, I'll postpone the flights; I'm sure I'll go somewhere Southwest flies within the year! It costs a little more now than it did last week, but not too horrifying.

Perfectly doable without a car. My DH insists on having one, but the last two times that we went without him, we were just fine. You may want to budget for a cab or two as well, particularly if you are eating at a resort after park closing hours. Cabs around the Disney property aren't too expensive.

glad you got your airfare booked! at least with SW you have flexibility to change later.

Ok we will look over our plans this weekend and see if we need to change anything based on the new touring plans, but I *think* we will be able to keep what we have!

So we are going the last week in Oct. (23-29). As of right now, we are planning on going to MK on that Tuesday and Friday. Both days have MNSSHP and we are thinking of going to the party on that Friday night. We want to CRT, so since we will have already been there on Tuesday and are doing the party on Friday, do you think it's best to plan a late breakfast at CRT? That way our girls can sleep in and then we can get up and go to breakfast and do somethings in the park--maybe go back for a little bit?
OR get up early do the breakfast then stay in the park till after lunch, go back to the hotel and rest until we are ready to go back and then enjoy the party?

At the party, I want to focus more on the characters, parade, fireworks and trick-or-treating than rides. SO based on that......??? I would love any advice!

i've read the parties the last week and of course that weekend tend to sell out. So you can expect that Friday party to be sold out and probably pretty crowded. you might have lower crowds doing the Tuesday party. if you want certain characters, you might read up on the MNSSHP threads here and find out where the characters are that you want to see. They aren't always published on the map, but folks here that go to the party before you can tell you. Some of them, you might want to get in line for right before the party starts.

we like doing something early that morning, then taking a really long break back in the room in the afternoon to nap and relax for 4 hours or so before heading to the party. that way my little guy is all ready to stay up late (he's made it til 11:30 the last two years at MVMCP and he's only 3).

 

[srauchbauer]

I know, my 4yo is going to have a blast. What are you going to dress your kiddo as? do you know? we have a Peter Pan costume, so we might dress him as that, unless something else comes along. Here he is the last 2 years- Capt Hook and then a trash can (he is obsessed with trash cans- and yes, he LOVED PUSH)!


When we were there in Feb. I had a 45 minute conversation with Push, scrapbooking those pics with be enjoyable. Who but a mom stands around and talks to a trash can.

 

[srauchbauer]

Still working on DH he would rather go in Feb a winter break, but I just love the Halloween magic at the parks. But if it is Feb I will not complain it's still a trip to paradise.

 

[PEANUT1]

how do you do that? being DVC you can purcahase 2 diff DPP's or do you have two sep ressies???


yes..its a new perk with DVC that you can split your dining plan during the week.

When we went to the party in 2007 we did a peter pan theme...I was peter pan, hubby was hook, Belle was tink and Abby was Tiger lily. Here are some pics

 

[emcclay]

198 days! Can't believe we are finally in the 100's

 

[sjs314]

how do you do that? being DVC you can purcahase 2 diff DPP's or do you have two sep ressies???


yes..its a new perk with DVC that you can split your dining plan during the week.

When we went to the party in 2007 we did a peter pan theme...I was peter pan, hubby was hook, Belle was tink and Abby was Tiger lily. Here are some pics

Love the costumes !!!! Your family is beautiful.

198 days! Can't believe we are finally in the 100's

Congrates ! I keep looking at mine waiting for it to fall below 200 days, When I switched from Sept to Oct it was hard adding those extra days to my countdown.

 

[tannersmama]

I just booked our October trip. We are going Oct 22-29, staying at CBR. We have never been to WDW at this time of the year. We have 1 DS who is 7. We are surprising him. We were there in March 2010 and he asks all the time when are we going back. We are excited to go to Food & Wine and MNSSHP. We are trying to think of costumes now.

We have not booked flights yet. We are not around a major airport. (4 hrs away from Chicago) so direct flights are few. There is one out of an airport 60 min away, flights right now are 147 1 way. So not sure if I should just bite the bullet and book or hope it goes down.

 

[LisaTC]

I just booked our October trip. We are going Oct 22-29, staying at CBR. We have never been to WDW at this time of the year. We have 1 DS who is 7. We are surprising him. We were there in March 2010 and he asks all the time when are we going back. We are excited to go to Food & Wine and MNSSHP. We are trying to think of costumes now.

We have not booked flights yet. We are not around a major airport. (4 hrs away from Chicago) so direct flights are few. There is one out of an airport 60 min away, flights right now are 147 1 way. So not sure if I should just bite the bullet and book or hope it goes down.

We're doing the same for our DD7, it's a surprise. We are going the same week. I've decided to hedge and wait a bit on the airlines. I see every few weeks, they come out with better deals into the fall. I figure that it can't be much worse. They may go up 30-50, but the ones I've seen for deals are nearly half! So, I'm waiting.

I think the closest I'll get DH in a costume for MNSSHP is maybe a pirate, he can still wear shorts! LOL. My DD has plenty of princess dresses to choose from. Ebay is a great place for finding those. For me, no clue!

 

[exwdwcm]

I know, my 4yo is going to have a blast. What are you going to dress your kiddo as? do you know? we have a Peter Pan costume, so we might dress him as that, unless something else comes along. Here he is the last 2 years- Capt Hook and then a trash can (he is obsessed with trash cans- and yes, he LOVED PUSH)!


When we were there in Feb. I had a 45 minute conversation with Push, scrapbooking those pics with be enjoyable. Who but a mom stands around and talks to a trash can.

LOL, i love it! my son had on a shirt with Tigger and Pooh-------PUSH said 'hey, you got some 'Pooh' on your shirt, you better clean it!"

Still working on DH he would rather go in Feb a winter break, but I just love the Halloween magic at the parks. But if it is Feb I will not complain it's still a trip to paradise.

wishing you lots of luck!

how do you do that? being DVC you can purcahase 2 diff DPP's or do you have two sep ressies???


yes..its a new perk with DVC that you can split your dining plan during the week.

When we went to the party in 2007 we did a peter pan theme...I was peter pan, hubby was hook, Belle was tink and Abby was Tiger lily. Here are some pics

that is so darn cute!!!! love the last pic too- was there a PP there to take pics, i guess?

I just booked our October trip. We are going Oct 22-29, staying at CBR. We have never been to WDW at this time of the year. We have 1 DS who is 7. We are surprising him. We were there in March 2010 and he asks all the time when are we going back. We are excited to go to Food & Wine and MNSSHP. We are trying to think of costumes now.

We have not booked flights yet. We are not around a major airport. (4 hrs away from Chicago) so direct flights are few. There is one out of an airport 60 min away, flights right now are 147 1 way. So not sure if I should just bite the bullet and book or hope it goes down.

welcome! how are you going to surprise him?

We're doing the same for our DD7, it's a surprise. We are going the same week. I've decided to hedge and wait a bit on the airlines. I see every few weeks, they come out with better deals into the fall. I figure that it can't be much worse. They may go up 30-50, but the ones I've seen for deals are nearly half! So, I'm waiting.

I think the closest I'll get DH in a costume for MNSSHP is maybe a pirate, he can still wear shorts! LOL. My DD has plenty of princess dresses to choose from. Ebay is a great place for finding those. For me, no clue!

we are also holding out on the airlines........just not sure what to think, but right now, can't find anything (times) at a price we want.

 

[tannersmama]

welcome! how are you going to surprise him?

We are not sure yet. We thought about not telling him till we were at the airport, or even on the plane. When we visit my BIL we fly there as well. So we thought of maybe telling him we were going to Denver. Then see how long it takes him to figure it out. He is a pretty smart kid tho. I am guessing he will say it as soon as we get to the airport.

LisaTC--my husband was thinking of doing a porate thing as well. I am jsut worried about being HOT, and I don't do dresses! So hopefully I can come up with something. Where are you staying? Have you decided what night you are doing the party? We are thinking Tuesday as I would think Friday would be more crowded with locals.