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

[LisaTC]

We are staying at POR. I think we're going to go Sunday. I don't want to be hot either. Living in OH...anything over 78 is too hot!! LOL

 

[PEANUT1]

We did a surprse trip when my oldest was 5 and my youngest 2 . We drove from NJ and told them we were going to Georgia. When we got into Florida..we told Belle (5) that we were in FLorida. She said "Disney World is in Florida"...I was like "yes it is, do you want to go there today??" She said..."maybe tomorrow" It was really funny...a few minutes went by and she started smiling and said " ok lets go today". I tease her about it all the time.

We also did a last minute trip last March...like booked the day before. My husband called me from work on a Monday and said that Jetblu had 10$ flights for their 10th anniversary but we had to go the next day and return the day after that...so we did it!!! The next morning we drove to JFK airport super early..the girls had no idea. We hopped on the shuttle bus to the airport from the parking and a guy on the bus said "you guys must be going to disney". I said "yes"..the girls started freaking out..it was great!!!! We went from a Tuesday morning to Wednesday night...we had annual passes so it was really cheap for us to go..it was one of our most memorable trips. We did MK and EPCOT.

 

[mousescrapper]

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!!

your welcome Lisa...sounds like a great plan! Yes my youngest DD warmed up to the face character much quicker, but was happy to see Mickey, Minnie too. I try not to have too high of expectations either...I like to have a pretty good plan of "attack" for our stays when we travel w/ our kids...and let the MAGIC happen along the way

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.

thanks for this info...I had no idea have to look more into this...probably not this trip in Oct. but maybe for our next family trip in jan '12 hope you post later about how this all worked out for you

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

BTW I like your plans...sounds real doable and actually quite relaxing too

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?

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!

I ditto that choice #2...going for a pre park Bfast or even and early lunch, you can then get a nice amount done in the park after or before your ADR and then be out of the park before the real crowds hit and have a good rest bfore the party too. We have done it both ways...pre park is nice especially for that walk down a nearly empty MS...last Nov. I booked a 11:50 lunch ADR at CRT...arrived just before opening and was able to do practically all of Fantaslyland before our ADR and then we left the park afterwards. worked real nice.

 

[02AggieGirl]

I ditto that choice #2...going for a pre park Bfast or even and early lunch, you can then get a nice amount done in the park after or before your ADR and then be out of the park before the real crowds hit and have a good rest bfore the party too. We have done it both ways...pre park is nice especially for that walk down a nearly empty MS...last Nov. I booked a 11:50 lunch ADR at CRT...arrived just before opening and was able to do practically all of Fantaslyland before our ADR and then we left the park afterwards. worked real nice.[/QUOTE]

ok thanks to both of you!! I don't know if we will do an early breakfast or lunch now but we will definitely go early and leave after lunch to get a good rest.

 

[exwdwcm]

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.

i've heard of people even not telling them until they actually drive under the WDW signs! I think telling him you are going to see your BIL is a good idea and when you land, break out the surprise somehow!

We are staying at POR. I think we're going to go Sunday. I don't want to be hot either. Living in OH...anything over 78 is too hot!! LOL

welcome! i fear it could be warmer than that in October, but you never know. All I know is it can't be any worse than the August trip we did years ago. It was miserable and that's coming from someone who lives in the heat and humidity already (Dallas). We were hoping for nice weather on our December trip this past year and of course it was freezing the entire time (40s and windy). We were wearing coats. I just haven't had good weather luck the past few trips.

We did a surprse trip when my oldest was 5 and my youngest 2 . We drove from NJ and told them we were going to Georgia. When we got into Florida..we told Belle (5) that we were in FLorida. She said "Disney World is in Florida"...I was like "yes it is, do you want to go there today??" She said..."maybe tomorrow" It was really funny...a few minutes went by and she started smiling and said " ok lets go today". I tease her about it all the time.

We also did a last minute trip last March...like booked the day before. My husband called me from work on a Monday and said that Jetblu had 10$ flights for their 10th anniversary but we had to go the next day and return the day after that...so we did it!!! The next morning we drove to JFK airport super early..the girls had no idea. We hopped on the shuttle bus to the airport from the parking and a guy on the bus said "you guys must be going to disney". I said "yes"..the girls started freaking out..it was great!!!! We went from a Tuesday morning to Wednesday night...we had annual passes so it was really cheap for us to go..it was one of our most memorable trips. We did MK and EPCOT.

lol, love that she said maybe tomorrow! wow, awesome spur of the moment trip and awesome $10 flights!!! how fun to do that!

 

[dansyr2514]

Since our 180 day adr mark is coming up soon, trying to decide where to eat this trip. It seems much harder this year to pick and choose. Anyone else, having trouble planning. This is so not like me.

 

[PEANUT1]

Since our 180 day adr mark is coming up soon, trying to decide where to eat this trip. It seems much harder this year to pick and choose. Anyone else, having trouble planning. This is so not like me.

Me me

I just can't seem to make up my mind at all...halloween party, water park, Universal yay or nay...just can't seem to decide. All of these things make me wonder about which days to do what...I don't have to book til April 18th..so I think I'll have time to obsess about it for a while longer

 

[ReneeDisney]

Since our 180 day adr mark is coming up soon, trying to decide where to eat this trip. It seems much harder this year to pick and choose. Anyone else, having trouble planning. This is so not like me.

I agree! Since our trip is not till the first week of October, I feel like making plans now is soooo early! I make schedule, change them, then change them back. I made some final changes today and hopefully I'm all set for my 180 day mark on April 3rd. My philosophy is that everything is good and fun at Disney so I can't go wrong with my plans and we can always change and revisit once the trip comes closer!!

GOOD LUCK!

 

[tiring_day]

Hi

We are at the 201 day mark now, we are visiting THE WORLD on October 15th for 14 days. We will be doing MNSSHP and a few character meals beyond that we will plan closer to the date. I would not imagine we will book all our meals before we go as most days we just like to go with the flow, we have 14 days to enjoy the magic and will be spending all of them with Disney.

We have been many times before but this the first time going with our latest addition, our son Josh who will be 6 when we get there.

Nice to see so many folks will be there, I will be watching for the lime green people.

Will probably post more now that we are about enter the sub 200 days gang.

Steve

 

[iixheartxyouxox]

Just booked yesterday for Sept 30 - Oct 3 at Caribbean Beach! I wish i could go longer than a weekend but i cant miss too many classes..plus its just going to be a mother daughter trip since i convinved my mom to come! I'll be celebrating my 21st birthday plus MK's 40th and food & wine!

 

[sjs314]

Since our 180 day adr mark is coming up soon, trying to decide where to eat this trip. It seems much harder this year to pick and choose. Anyone else, having trouble planning. This is so not like me.

Since we switched our dates back to October I have been going back and forth with where we want to eat and what we want to do with DH. Ran over the Plans today with DH and he did not even mind that I scheduled two Character Breakfasts We are both retired with no grandbabies of our own but we do enjoy watching the lil ones get so excited at Disney.

He had previously said Crystal Palace was ok when I told him we could get in before the park opens, but I had since added Cape May since we are staying at the BC. I would love to add Akershus but that would be pushing it.

I am 99.9 % positive I am done making changes, my ADR date is April 22 and I can not wait.

 

[Brave teacher]

We just changed our dates today. Due to my DH transferring his job, we are no longer going in May/June. Our new dates are 10/15 - 10/21 at AKV. We are so excited and might even keep this one a secret from the boys.

 

[LilyWDW]

Forgot this thread might be here! How could I have missed that?

Anyways, I am treating my mom to Disney October 14-24. We will be staying at POFQ and are super excited about the room refurbs.

My ADR day opens up on 4-17 and we already have picked out where we want to eat, now I just have to make it all fit. I have a tentative plan set up, but I am waiting on TGM to release his best parks before I "finalize" it. If anyone wants to see it, just let me know!

Can't wait to go and maybe run into one of you all. I will have my lime green mickey head on my bag so please feel free to come up and say hi!

 

[PookieB]

PEANUT1 Too cute of your DD! Great pics.

Brave teacher - Ohhh surprise trips are sooo fun!

So we are for sure staying at AKV. No BWV standard studios available. I realized that a BLT studio will have no room for a play yard except in the bathroom. Picked Jambo because of Mara but I hope to be able to visit Kidani's pool? Here's our itinerary as of now.

Oct 2nd - Late Breakfast @ KC Check in AKV/pool MNSSHP Dinner @ CRT for Hallowishes
Oct 3rd - DHS Lunch @ PP Dinner @ 50s PTC
Oct 4th - Epcot Lunch @ SS Dinner @ Le Cellier
Oct 5th - AK Breakfast @ TH Lunch @ FTB Home

 

[PEANUT1]

Forgot this thread might be here! How could I have missed that?

Anyways, I am treating my mom to Disney October 14-24. We will be staying at POFQ and are super excited about the room refurbs.

My ADR day opens up on 4-17 and we already have picked out where we want to eat, now I just have to make it all fit. I have a tentative plan set up, but I am waiting on TGM to release his best parks before I "finalize" it. If anyone wants to see it, just let me know!

Can't wait to go and maybe run into one of you all. I will have my lime green mickey head on my bag so please feel free to come up and say hi!

I'd like to

 

[PEANUT1]

PEANUT1 Too cute of your DD! Great pics.

Brave teacher - Ohhh surprise trips are sooo fun!

So we are for sure staying at AKV. No BWV standard studios available. I realized that a BLT studio will have no room for a play yard except in the bathroom. Picked Jambo because of Mara but I hope to be able to visit Kidani's pool? Here's our itinerary as of now.



We stayed at Jambo and had no trouble using Kidani pool..it is really nice. I prefer to stay at Jambo because of the lack of ammenities at kidani. We were soooo far from the elevator though..I think next time, I will request to be closer. That long walk down the hall was a little much at the end of the day

 

[PookieB]

We stayed at Jambo and had no trouble using Kidani pool..it is really nice. I prefer to stay at Jambo because of the lack of ammenities at kidani. We were soooo far from the elevator though..I think next time, I will request to be closer. That long walk down the hall was a little much at the end of the day

Ohh good idea on the elevators! We'll have a double stroller with us for the first time. I remember seeing bathrooms near the Jambo's pool that had showers. Does anyone know if Kidani's pool has them also? I think it takes a room key to get in? I'm hoping they will give us a temp one so we can kill time our first day until our room is ready which I'm sure will be after 4 pm.

 

[PEANUT1]

yes they have bathrooms with changing areas and showers..didn't need a key to get in.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Forgot this thread might be here! How could I have missed that?

Anyways, I am treating my mom to Disney October 14-24. We will be staying at POFQ and are super excited about the room refurbs.

My ADR day opens up on 4-17 and we already have picked out where we want to eat, now I just have to make it all fit. I have a tentative plan set up, but I am waiting on TGM to release his best parks before I "finalize" it. If anyone wants to see it, just let me know!

Can't wait to go and maybe run into one of you all. I will have my lime green mickey head on my bag so please feel free to come up and say hi!

there's a good chance we'll run into each other. I have similar dates (14-22) and also staying at POFQ

 

[LilyWDW]

there's a good chance we'll run into each other. I have similar dates (14-22) and also staying at POFQ

That would be cool! Hopefully I'll get to run into you!

And for PEANUT1 here you go! I just can't wait until October gets here.

10/14 Arrival. Flight gets in at 2:40pm (ish). Flying Fish dinner at around 7:30pm.

10/15 Animal Kingdom Rope Drop until parade. Boma for an early dinner (opening or close to it)

10/16 Magic Kingdom Rope Drop. Break at hotel after lunch. Fantasmic! (We may skip Fantasmic and stay at MK later. Going to make the call the day of.)

10/17 Late start at Epcot. World Showcase and Food and Wine Festival.

10/18 Free Day, most likely DTD. Breakfast at Boma. Dinner at Raglan Road.

10/19 Lunch at Via Napoli. Late start at Magic Kingdom. MSEP/Wishes.

10/20 Epcot Rope Drop. Late Lunch/Early Dinner at Le Chefs.

10/21 Hollywood Studios Rope Drop. Lunch at Brown Derby.

10/22 Keys to the Kingdom Tour. Dinner at Jiko.

10/23 Breakfast at Grand Floridian Cafe. Flight leaves at 3:30pm.