OK! A 80 Hour Disney Adventure!! Let the good times roll, prefferably not me?

[Pumba's Truth]

So here's the way it's going to play out ...... (not very nice to the kid, well not at first anyways)

Picking up DS (10) in GA on the 20th of Nov under the guise that we are going to Granddad and Nei Nei's for Thanksgiving. There has been and will be no mention of Disney to this young fella in advance.

The drive down to either place is about 8 hours or so. We are doing the majority of the trek on the Saturday (DW and I will have been driving for almost 4-5 hours prior to pickup). We should arrive in Ocala/Gainsville area sometime around 8 or so.

Last night on the road before Granddad's!

November 21 …. The plot thickens

Coming down I-75 so we'll just veer to the left a bit and head more in the Orlando direction. Good ol' Florida Turnpike.

I'm sure the signs that line the highway, the ones that mention Disney may get him questioning. If so the answer is "Well you know they live close to Orlando, where Disney is, sorry bud”

Then I’ll play the whole “I must have made a wrong turn somewhere” yadda yadda.

Next, I’ll pretend that I just want to pop over to CSR and see a friend while we’re here and see if they might be able to scrounge up some tickets for the park that day.

This is where I go and check-in early and get our KTTW cards. (We’re on FD, that’s why I need to get the KTTW cards instead of just going to guest services)

Then I’ll come back and let him know that dad’s friend was able to “hook us up” but we should leave our car here and take the bus as it’s easier to get around. (Option could drive but who knows.)

So we’ll go to DHS for the day, lunch and what not.

We’ll head back to CSR to get the car. This is where it might be a bit tricky. My plan is to use the idea that I’m really tired and don’t want to drive that night and I’ll see if they have any rooms. They are really busy this week so chances are that we won’t be able to get room, but I’ll try.

SCORE We get a room … for at least one night, I’ll tell him. BUT we have to go to granddad’s first thing in the morning. OK? He’ll be on board with it… The pool is great there from what I've read.

November 22
This morning is where I decide that I just want to stay here a couple of days .. if he’s ok with it. I talked with Granddad and Nei Nei and they said we can come over on Wednesday instead. So we’re all set …. Then we’ll follow the plan below.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Well here’s the deal. I live in Canada, my DS10 lives in GA with him mum. He gets Thanksgiving week off, and seeing as I won’t be able to make it down at Christmas this year, dear ol’ dad is going to pick the kiddo up for a quick Disney Adventure prior to Thanksgiving with my parents over on the gulf coast of FL.

How to do Disney in 73 Hours? Well here’s our plan. Now it’s not a ride specific plan but simply a park/area specific plan with a couple of ADRs thrown in for good measure. What are you thoughts? (Oh BTW this is all after driving for a couple of days from Ottawa, ON to GA to WDW )

11/21/10

16:00 – Arrival @ CSR
17:00 – DHS (Fantasmic @ 18:30)
20:00 – MK (EMH until 01:00, as if we’ll actually make it until then, we’ll see) Include Wishes, MSEP, etc.

11/22/10

07:00 – Bus to AK
08:00-13:00 – AK includes EHM (08:00 – 09:00)
13:00–19:00 – DTD: Disney Quest,
14:30 – ADR#1-Raglan Road ADR for late lunch
19:00–23:00 – DHS (Incl. EMH 20:00 – 23:00)

11/23/10

07:00 – Bus to Epcot
08:00–21:30 - Epcot: ALL DAY. (FW EMH 08:00 – 09:00)
16:00 – ADR#2-Teppan Edo – Late lunch/early dinner
21:00 – Illuminations
22:00 – Packing for farewell to Disney.

11/24/10

06:30 – Begin loading up car
07:00 – Final load up, buh-bye to CSR
07:30 – Arrive TTC
08:00 – MK Bound
08:20 – ADR#3-Crystal Palace w/Pooh and Tig
15:00 – Dreams come true parade
15:30 – Final walk down Main Street
15:45 – Boat ride to TTC; wave buh-bye to the castle
16:00 – Off to the grandparents for some turkey, football and golf.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

So looks like things are ever changing.

We may now have an additional 8 hours to add to the first day. Hmm now it will beg the question do we keep PH, or nail down changes so that we only make it to one park a day.

Oh ... BTW, let's get the gang listed ....

Myself (34) - Good ol' Canadian boy who longs to live back down in wonderful FLA. I've done the whole Disney trip a few times.

DW (29) - She's only been down to FL a few times and now Disney twice. Both times with me (Honeymoon & last summer).

DS (10 by the time we get going) - He's been to Disney more times than I can count, well at least 10. His mother's parents take him and his sisters to the world about once a year and he's been with me at least once.

So we've been to Disney a few times, looking to get the most out of this short trip. Hoping that I don't tire everyone out by the time Wednesday rolls around. My folks would be a bit upset if all we did was show up and sleep for 3 days and then leave.

 

[KatMark]

You are very sneaky, but I love it. Your plans sound great and I hope you don't mind me coming along for the ride.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

You are very sneaky, but I love it. Your plans sound great and I hope you don't mind me coming along for the ride.

Welcome Welcome.

So my DW got hold of the thread and took a look at what I had planned. Hmm can't say she's 100% on board.

She's thinking it might be a bit over the top, so back to the drawing board I'm sure I can do something that will catch him off gaurd.

I've never done a PTR before so if you have suggestions .. I'll take them.

Here we go....

 

[KatMark]

Welcome Welcome.

So my DW got hold of the thread and took a look at what I had planned. Hmm can't say she's 100% on board.

She's thinking it might be a bit over the top, so back to the drawing board I'm sure I can do something that will catch him off gaurd.

I've never done a PTR before so if you have suggestions .. I'll take them.

Here we go....

I don't really have any suggestions...just go what is comfortable for you (you can check out other PTR's and get ideas; mine is linked in my siggy).

 

[Pumba's Truth]

So it's now down to 99 days .. go double digits ... Whoo Hoo

Nothing much to report right this minute .. tyring to determine whether or not to book hotels on the way down or just wing it as we are going.

We're doing the trek from Ottawa ON to just north of ATL then to someplace close to Disney probably around Ocala then ... you guessed Disney.

Wait Wait... there is some news. My plan above may not work out exactly as discribed as DW now wants to go to Boma for breakfast on the Sunday when we arrive... before going to CSR to check in.

Hmmmmm well I guess it depends on whether or not we upgrade to DxDDP .. if so we will have to check in first to get our credits...

Stay tuned as the saga continues ....... LOL

 

[KatMark]

So it's now down to 99 days .. go double digits ... Whoo Hoo

Nothing much to report right this minute .. tyring to determine whether or not to book hotels on the way down or just wing it as we are going.

We're doing the trek from Ottawa ON to just north of ATL then to someplace close to Disney probably around Ocala then ... you guessed Disney.

Wait Wait... there is some news. My plan above may not work out exactly as discribed as DW now wants to go to Boma for breakfast on the Sunday when we arrive... before going to CSR to check in.

Hmmmmm well I guess it depends on whether or not we upgrade to DxDDP .. if so we will have to check in first to get our credits...

Stay tuned as the saga continues ....... LOL

I'm not sure how busy it will be that time of year traveling, but my guess is you could find something on the road and not have to pick ahead of time (that way if you are tired, you can stop earlier).

To me, the DxDDP is just too much food unless you plan on doing a lot of signature restaurants. Boma...oh, I love Boma breakfast...and we will be there in a little over five weeks.

And here's to double digits:

 

[Pumba's Truth]

An interesting rumour has started that could solve my issue here.

See we are actually spending 4 days in the park .. arrive early on day 1 and leave later on day 4. Since we'll need food all those days we may be able to take advantage if it actually comes out.

Oh. The rumour is that as of August 19th, 2010 Disney will allow top up to the dining plan if a days worth of credits are already used. What this top up will cost, how will it break down and all that is yet to be heard. Also there is no guarantee that it is valid.

I'm following the thread for now.

 

[KatMark]

An interesting rumour has started that could solve my issue here.

See we are actually spending 4 days in the park .. arrive early on day 1 and leave later on day 4. Since we'll need food all those days we may be able to take advantage if it actually comes out.

Oh. The rumour is that as of August 19th, 2010 Disney will allow top up to the dining plan if a days worth of credits are already used. What this top up will cost, how will it break down and all that is yet to be heard. Also there is no guarantee that it is valid.

I'm following the thread for now.

Very interesting. Thanks for posting the link. That would be interesting as we might want to do just one signature meal, but bascially the regular dining plan is enough for us.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Hmm. What to do? What to do?

I now have to find a place to stay near Disney for the Saturday night before our package starts.

It seems that we are going to be heading out Thursday night now to get a jump on our travels and will have about an 8 hour drive at most starting Sat morning.

With breakfast at Boma on Sunday. Closer the better.

We were going to stay up in Ocala - 80/night at the BestWestern. However, my DW's friend has informed us that through her job we can get a rate of $119/night at the Swan/Dolphin.

Now the DW is wondering why we don't just stay there for the entire trip. UGH.

Have to price things again. But the Free Dining through CSR can't be beat I don't think.

With tickets, hotel and food being paid OOP. I am sure it would come in more than the 1313 that we are looking for CSR. Hmph we'll see.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Oh .. follow up to the 'Reload' your dining plan idea.

I am not intersted in forking over $62 pp for an additional day. Now this figure is from the thread posted a couple of post above, and is still just rumour but I have been to the WDWMAGIC forum where this originated and it seems to have come from a CM @ Poly.

At that price paying OOP for any additional meals would be more economical.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

So ... excuse the freak-out.

All is good now, going to stick with CSR, Disney gets more of my $ this trip. lol

In any case, I am now going to take a look and decide about driving around to all the parks vs bussing. This could potentially save us a tonne of time, No?

Well, I'll report back what I am able to scrounge up from the boards/net. And provide a plan of attack for the 4 days we're there.

Cheers.

 

[KatMark]

So ... excuse the freak-out.

All is good now, going to stick with CSR, Disney gets more of my $ this trip. lol

In any case, I am now going to take a look and decide about driving around to all the parks vs bussing. This could potentially save us a tonne of time, No?

Well, I'll report back what I am able to scrounge up from the boards/net. And provide a plan of attack for the 4 days we're there.

Cheers.

We ALWAYS drive to all of the parks while we are there (and, as you know, we stay at the CSR). It takes no more than 10 minutes to get to any park, and often less.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Do you park hop at all? If so, have you had issues with finding spaces and the transportation from the lot to the entrance in the afternoon/evening?

One concern I may have with this is that we are looking to Hop from DHS to MK on Nov 21 right after fantasmic for MK EMH.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

OK so I had been tossing around the idea of upgrading to the DxDDP but can't seem to justify it. Now I am working on trying to get an additional night at CSR on the 20th of Nov. As this would then provide us with the additional day's worth of credits.

Heck we have to stay in a hotel that night anyways, so may as well try to stay there regardless of when we arrive. Prolly close to 10pm or so.

But so far no luck .. if I recall correctly there are a couple of conventions going on that finish up on the 21st so they may have rooms blocked for now. So time to go find their websites and check for the 'book by' date for a tentative call to WDW again.

Wish me luck. Cheers.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

So it looks like there is only one conference going on. NCTE 2010 Annual Convention.

It does end on the 21st of November, so there are potentially vacant rooms being held up in a block by the organization. However, I wasn't able to find out when they might be released back to the CRO for booking. UGH.

Their reservation deadline via mail is November 5, 2010, but I can't see Disney being ok with holding a full block of rooms until less than 3 weeks before hand. Any ideas?

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Double Post

 

[KatMark]

Do you park hop at all? If so, have you had issues with finding spaces and the transportation from the lot to the entrance in the afternoon/evening?

One concern I may have with this is that we are looking to Hop from DHS to MK on Nov 21 right after fantasmic for MK EMH.

Yes, we park hop every day. We usually leave our "morning" park and go back to the CSR for a swim and then drive to a different resort at night. We've never had an issue with parking/trams, etc. Now, as for DHS to the MK after Fantasmic is a tough one as you are going to be spending a lot of time on a bus after Fantasmic to get to the MK. I think I would drive it.

So it looks like there is only one conference going on. NCTE 2010 Annual Convention.

It does end on the 21st of November, so there are potentially vacant rooms being held up in a block by the organization. However, I wasn't able to find out when they might be released back to the CRO for booking. UGH.

Their reservation deadline via mail is November 5, 2010, but I can't see Disney being ok with holding a full block of rooms until less than 3 weeks before hand. Any ideas?

My understanding is that they will hold rooms up to 45 days before an event.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Yes, we park hop every day. We usually leave our "morning" park and go back to the CSR for a swim and then drive to a different resort at night. We've never had an issue with parking/trams, etc. Now, as for DHS to the MK after Fantasmic is a tough one as you are going to be spending a lot of time on a bus after Fantasmic to get to the MK. I think I would drive it.



My understanding is that they will hold rooms up to 45 days before an event.

Thanks much for the info.

So I'll keep my fingers crossed that there will be availability come October LOL. Well I'll keep checking up until then as well.

Cheers.