Our Family's 2nd Trip to Disney World-Pre-Trippie

[PixieDustPrincess05]

I sure hope they offer free dining again!! My TA said that she is anticipating to be announced in the end of March/beginning of April because that is when the current promotions booking dates end.




The truffles sound super yummy and RICH!! I have one similar with cream cheese and chocolate than dipped in chocolte too.

I like your plans! I am debating on the mini golf thing. I think we will not plan but if we are looking for something to do, than that will be the option. Are you going to go to Planet Hollywood too?

Hey Stephanie! Thanks for the TA advice- that is very helpful news.

We went to Planet Hollywood on our last visit August of '08. It was neat in there and the food was pretty good. I had the steak fajitas and Bill had some type of a deep fried lasagna and it was sooooooo delicious- he still talks about it everytime. I forget what Austin had to eat- probably chicken fingers or something he was only 2 1/2 at the time. They take your picture before you go in and then someone comes around while you are eating to show you what it looks like and if you want to buy it. We probably won't go back on our next trip because we are doing the QSDP.

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

Okay, so I have some pretty big news and I need you all to help me pick out girls names!!!!!!!!


For our new kitty that we are getting next week!!!!!! She is a year old, and a tiger cat, and we are adopting her from a local animal shelter. Bill and Austin went to meet her today and Bill said that she is the most lovable thing !!!!!! She has to be tested for any illnesses and has to be fixed before we can bring her home- so we should have her around next Thursday!!!!! Her name right now is "Tiggers"- but they say when you get a pet you should always rename them. So...... the name of course is going to be a Disney name- I just need help deciding on one. Here is what I've come up with so far- so I am still undecided. If you guys can think of something better I am all ears!!!

1) Tigerlily (from Peter Pan- and the fact that she is a tiger cat)

2) Tinkerbell

3) Minnie "Meow"se (hahahaha, Bill really looked at me strange when I came up with this one!!!)

4) "Purr"dita (Perdita from 101 Dalmations- except umm she is a dog)


Nothing is really standing out. I need all of the help I can get !!!!!

We did go over to Petsmart tonight to pick up a few things for her. We got her a sparkly pink collar with a little bell on it and a bag of pink and purple cat toys that Austin picked out.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hi! Janine

I like Tigerlilly!!!!

all your sweets sound scrumptous (sp-but you know what I'm trying to sp LOL)
Toy story movie night sounds fun and a great idea! but, I'm stumped for a game or craft need to think on that one :

Great news on the free dining...I like your thoughts on how you are planning your trip so far! Oh and BTW wolfgang puck QS has awesome mac and cheese...we had gotten for Ashton last May and he ended up eating soup from EoS so Danny & I ate his mac and cheese...well some of it...


Have a great evening!!!

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

Hi! Janine

I like Tigerlilly!!!!

all your sweets sound scrumptous (sp-but you know what I'm trying to sp LOL)
Toy story movie night sounds fun and a great idea! but, I'm stumped for a game or craft need to think on that one :

Great news on the free dining...I like your thoughts on how you are planning your trip so far! Oh and BTW wolfgang puck QS has awesome mac and cheese...we had gotten for Ashton last May and he ended up eating soup from EoS so Danny & I ate his mac and cheese...well some of it...


Have a great evening!!!

Yay! Glad to see your back Connie!!!!

I think I am leaning towards Tigerlily as well. Although Tiggers is kinda cute. We'll have to see .

Oh and believe me- the Oreo truffles were out of this world!!!!!!!! You should definitely try them one day- I brought some to work and everyone had the same reaction.

I have never tried EoS or Wolfgang puck- but I have heard great things about both. I will definitely consider both.


So how was your Christmas- did little Ashton get everything he wanted- he's too cute!!!! I noticed that you may be going in May now- I think that is a great time to go- right before the crowds start rolling in. I went in June on my girl's trip (my mothers day present- and I will never go back without Bill and Austin again!!!!) and it was soooooooooo hot and crowded. To tell you the truth, I also liked August when we went back in '08. Granted it is supposed to be hotter than anything in Florida in August- but we were there during Tropical Storm Fay. At the time I was sick of being rained on- but you know what- the crowds were low, and all the rides were open with little or no wait, and it was still warm outside!!!


Hope you have a great evening!!!

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

Okay so when you have a sit down job, in your own little cubicle, with your own computer with the internet that your not suppose to be on, and your own printer that your only suppose to work related things on, and your boss and his boss go to lunch- what do you do? You look around and make sure they actually went to lunch, then you start fishing around different airline sites and Disney.com trying to plan the perfect vacation !!!!!

So, thats what I did today. SpiritAir- which is what we always fly down on, sends me different airfare deals throughout the week, and I mess around and see what the current deals are. So, for February, I was just testing to see what prices would run (they only had February's up) and I could get three roundtrip airfare tickets for about 280.00 total (and even lower if I joined the one club they have). Beings that I am not going in February, I am hoping that they will do something similar if we go in September. I am sure I will be able to get some type of a deal.

So I am still coming up with new plans- here is my newest- I kinda like it :

1) We will leave on a Monday evening (Bill gets off at 2pm on Mondays), so I will try to find a flight between 4pm and 6pm on a Monday. We will be in WDW by at least 9pm. September hours are a little different from summer hours so the parks will probably be closed when we get there. But thats okay- we settle into our rooms, have a nice little dinner or snack at the hotel, go for a swim, or take a ride to DTD to see what is going on if they are open late (probably not- we will probably just relax at the hotel). The past two times I have went we have caught like the 6am and 7am flights and were in the parks by 11am and absolutely EXHAUSTED at the end of the day. This way, we will be in Disney an extra day earlier, and can start fresh Tuesday.

2) Tuesday- Magic Kingdom Day . Oh how I love the Magic Kingdom . This is truly my happy place- my home away from home. I plan on getting an early start- maybe even get there for rope drop (never seen this before ). I really really really want to try Mainstreet Bakery, so maybe we will head here for a Pastry for breakfast. Lunch: El Pirata y El Pericos, Dinner: Cosmic Rays cafe. Parade and Wishes.

3) Wednesday- Animal Kingdom Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Get an early start at AK for this day. I want to get fastpasses for all the big rides, and I definitely want to enjoy this park this time (we left early back in Aug 08 because it was raining pretty bad). I definitely want to get in the Parade and Camp Mickey and Minnie is a must do for us!!!!! Lunch: Flame Tree BBQ (can't wait to try this). Dinner- this park usually closes early anyway, so if we do dinner here, it will probably be Pizzafari, if not, either DTD or POP food court.

4) Thursday- Hollywood Studios Day: Breakfast at the hotel. Another early start day. Really wanted to do the Playhouse Disney Show last time, but missed it. I really don't think that this park will take a full day, so if we get park hoppers, we may hop on over to Epcot- if not, it will be mini golf or shopping at DTD. Lunch- Toy Story Pizza Planet- A MUST!!!! I do want to get in to Fantasmic- so I will try my best for that. Dinner- probably the hotel.

5) Friday- Epcot Day: You guessed it, early start Breakfast at the hotel. We will head over to Epcot and get fast passes for the bigger rides. We really didn't give this park that must attention last time we were there. I want to do Soarin' (never did) , Nemo, the Beverly coke thing , and I definitely want to do the different countries. Illuminations is also a must!!!!!
Have not decided on food choices for Epcot yet!!!! Make sure everything is packed tonight, so we can leave first thing in the morning.

6) Saturday- our last day :-( . Magic Kingdom and DTD day. Getting a VERY early start. Breakfast at the hotel, check our bags, make sure everything with ME is cool . Head on down to our favorite park, the Magic Kingdom . Get in everything we love the most, or stuff we missed. Lunch: Pecos Bills. Leave about midday and head to DTD for shopping for about 2 hours. I plan on getting the latest flight back to NJ (usually its a 9pm flight so we will probably have to be back at the hotel by like 6-6:30pm). Dinner: either DTD or Pop Food Court.

This will all probably change- due to park hours, fireworks schedules, etc. but this is basically how I want to do it. I want my family and I to have a great time and an unforgettable disney experience. As you can see, I have not decided on park hoppers or not yet. They work well for us, but it all depends on park hours. If the park is going to close at 7 or 8pm there is no use in us getting them if we stay 6 days/ 5 nights. If we do 4 days/ 3 nights- we will because I have to see the MK more than once a trip!!!!!! So please let me know what you all think!!!

 

[Charlefours]

I like all your plans!! I am going to love hearing what you think on the QSDP--I am really thinking the DDP is going to be too much food for us but if it is free hard to pass up! I like the idea of having all our meals taken care of and I know those we are traveling with are accustomed to sitting down at restaurants.

Don't you just love dreaming and planning!!

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

I like all your plans!! I am going to love hearing what you think on the QSDP--I am really thinking the DDP is going to be too much food for us but if it is free hard to pass up! I like the idea of having all our meals taken care of and I know those we are traveling with are accustomed to sitting down at restaurants.

Don't you just love dreaming and planning!!

Hi Stephanie!

Depending on which resort you stay at ( I noticed this when they offered free dining end of summer/fall)- determines which DDP you are on. For instance, I believe if you stayed at a Value Resort- you would get the QSDP. Mods- regular ddp. And if I am not mistaken Deluxe- Deluxe DDP. I am pretty sure that is how they worked it last year. We are really big fans of the dining plan. We were on regular DDP back in Aug 08- and we liked it. Of course they didn't have the QSDP then. When I went on my girls getaway back in June, they had the QSDP, and I loved it!!!! I loved having the mugs prepaid, I loved not having to make ADRS, I loved being able to eat when I was hungry, I loved having the 2 snack credits as opposed to the 1 that the regular ddp offers, and I loved not having to tip!!!! Any DDP is great, it just depends on which one caters to your family more- so, the QSDP is the one that works the best for us .

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Janine,
I am glad to hear I'm not the only one who spends time in her cubicle on the internet at the Dis sites.....shhhhhhh....it's a secret, though!!!!

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

Janine,
I am glad to hear I'm not the only one who spends time in her cubicle on the internet at the Dis sites.....shhhhhhh....it's a secret, though!!!!

I don't know what you are talking about.........

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

So another boring day at work . I pretty much stay on top of my work- so yes, there are times that I pretend I am working by staring at my computer screen while shuffling a bunch of papers around just to look like I'm busy- but you all know what I am really doing. Dreaming of Disney of course !!!.

Tonight at dinner- we had tacos ( and I swear Pam, I think of you and your family every time we eat these things now ), and I was trying to strike up a Disney conversation with Bill. His response was "If it is about Disney, I do not even want to hear about it- you are going to have me Disney'ed out before we even go"- I am sure you are all familiar with these words? So he listened anyway!!!!!!!!

Those of you who have been tuning in the past week or so know that we have been going back and forth between dates and park hopper passes and so on. I think we have finally figured it out. The more sure I am of free dining this year, means the longer we can stay- and if we can stay longer, we really do not need the hoppers. What I once thought of as a necessity, doesn't seem as necessary anymore if we are staying longer than 4days/ 3nights. So here are our sample plans:

If free dining is not offered:

Tuesday 9/21- Friday 9/24 Pop Century, non preferred, 4 day park hopper, QSDP. We will take the 6am flight down and leave on the 9:30pm flight back.
This is only if free dining is not offered. We will be taking park hoppers because we need to see MK more than onces .

Monday 9/20- Saturday 9/25 Pop Century, non preferred, 5 day MYW base ticket. I want to fly into MCO Monday night. Do dinner, relax at the hotel, and start fresh monday morning. Free QSDP. We will not need hoppers because I will have the extra day for MK . Leaning toward this plan right now.

or

Monday 9/20- Sunday 9/26 Pop Century, non preferred, 6 day MYW base ticket. Fly in Monday night- leave Sunday afternoon. Free QSDP.

I would like to say thank you to all who made me realize that the hoppers are not that necessary if you are staying more than a few days. Also with Septembers hours, I know alot of the parks usually close before 9pm (usually around 7 or 8 in most cases)- so we wont need the hoppers to hop over to MK at like 11 at night for EMH.

You have to plan so you are not missing out.

With Pop Century- we are still staying in Disney and enjoying all of the perks (EMH's, Magical Express, DDP, Disney Transportation, etc.) and paying a way reasonable price. Plus I don't care what any one says, there is soooo much magic in the Value Resorts with the oversized Characters and themed bedspreads and curtains and borders and pictures oh my . Plus the food court is awesome. I mean, where else can you get your picture taking with an oversized can of Play-Doh????

The Disney Dining Plan- if you go on Allears.net there is almost every menu from every TS restaurant, CS restaurant, french fry cart, soda cart, etc in WDW. If you actually sit and price your meals out on there- and compare it to the DDP, you are saving sooo much by using the DDP- especially the QSDP.
Mugs included and all- and you almost always leave with food left on your card and you are racing around before the ME comes grabbing Mickey Rice Krispies and drinks for your way to the airport- what more could you ask for .

Park hoppers- not a must, only if you are staying less than 4 days I would say. If you are staying more, there is almost always 1 park you love the most, you can save that to end a perfect trip .

Preferred rooms- Request buildings that are nonpreferred/preferred that are closest to the main building. You may be suprised that a few steps can save a couple of hundred bucks.


Well, now that I have that straightened out, I am happy to say that my trip is starting to look like something . Please tell me what you think. I need to go bug Bill now to see if we can scan some pics on our new printer from our last trip.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hey! Janine
I, too, dream of Disney constantly...

your plans sound great, so far, sounds like good airline tix prices...

we too were talking about the hoppers; Danny said he prefers to have the hoppers, in May we had spent one day where we went to MK in the morning, were going to go over to Epcot around lunch and the turnstiles were soooo crowded we jumped on a bus, went over to DTD and that night went to DHS...he said he like the option that we were able to skip to where we felt more comfortable due to crowds.

as of today...:rolleyes3: we are back to the original plan
beach in June and sssshhhh in Aug (Danny's BD) and Nov/Dec Disney!
Gwendolyn reminded Danny last night that we are suppose to doing the beach this summer and it was hot and rainy in May! :
than, I was catching up on Barbara's (disney<333) TR; her family went Thanksgiving week. And, she had a special post directed JUST FOR ME(the castle done up in the icicle lights and the osbourn fly)...I shared it with Danny and he tells me ...I thought that is what you wanted to see next at Disney...I said it is...he says, so why are we still talking about going in May...PICK ONE! and I want to go to the beach!

so, as I said it appears we are pack to November! : can I help it if I want to be at Disney year round :

Happy planning to us ALL!

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

Hey! Janine
I, too, dream of Disney constantly...

your plans sound great, so far, sounds like good airline tix prices...

we too were talking about the hoppers; Danny said he prefers to have the hoppers, in May we had spent one day where we went to MK in the morning, were going to go over to Epcot around lunch and the turnstiles were soooo crowded we jumped on a bus, went over to DTD and that night went to DHS...he said he like the option that we were able to skip to where we felt more comfortable due to crowds.

as of today...:rolleyes3: we are back to the original plan
beach in June and sssshhhh in Aug (Danny's BD) and Nov/Dec Disney!
Gwendolyn reminded Danny last night that we are suppose to doing the beach this summer and it was hot and rainy in May! :



than, I was catching up on Barbara's (disney<333) TR; her family went Thanksgiving week. And, she had a special post directed JUST FOR ME(the castle done up in the icicle lights and the osbourn fly)...I shared it with Danny and he tells me ...I thought that is what you wanted to see next at Disney...I said it is...he says, so why are we still talking about going in May...PICK ONE! and I want to go to the beach!

so, as I said it appears we are pack to November! : can I help it if I want to be at Disney year round :

Happy planning to us ALL!

I prefer hopping too- but I think due to the time we are planning to go (Sept) instead of summer - when the parks are open really late, that the base tickets will be fine for us. I want to get as much in, stuff I missed last time, on this trip and I think hopping around will cause us not to focus on what we really want to do. However, if we do the 4 days/ 3 nights, we will get the hoppers. Plus it will save me almost 200.00 by not adding it on- which means more spending money for us !!!!!!

Don't worry, you guys will have a great time no matter what time of year you go!!!! Christmastime should be beautiful- I seen a special on tv on how they get ready for Christmas in WDW. Oh and by they way- that video of Ashton was priceless of him opening the Jack-in-the-Box- he is way too cute, you are a very lucky lady .

Have a great night!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Oh, my god, I am laughing at your taco comment!!! Garsh, I do love those tacos!!!! You know we will be eating at El pirate y el perico again in september.

So, I am also excited about your dates. You will be there the same week we will. We are booking 9/20 - 9/28!!!! That's cool, maybe we can get a dis meet going


Your plans look good!! And i'm thinking the same thing. So much is depending on whether or not free dining is offered. I know we've been looking at CBR, but it's going to depend. We know are going to add water park and more option, so now i'm thinking, do we want to spend all of that extra money on the resort.
So, we may be staying at Pop also!!!!

Oh and your dh sounds just like Manny. Oh, lord, he's gotta be in a good mood to want to listen to my obsessive Disney talk

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

Oh, my god, I am laughing at your taco comment!!! Garsh, I do love those tacos!!!! You know we will be eating at El pirate y el perico again in september.

So, I am also excited about your dates. You will be there the same week we will. We are booking 9/20 - 9/28!!!! That's cool, maybe we can get a dis meet going


Your plans look good!! And i'm thinking the same thing. So much is depending on whether or not free dining is offered. I know we've been looking at CBR, but it's going to depend. We know are going to add water park and more option, so now i'm thinking, do we want to spend all of that extra money on the resort.
So, we may be staying at Pop also!!!!


Oh and your dh sounds just like Manny. Oh, lord, he's gotta be in a good mood to want to listen to my obsessive Disney talk

That is awesome that you guys may be there the same week as us - that would be great to do a DIS meet . And our two dh's can roll their eyes at us together . Hey did you guys get into Fanstamic! last time? That is a must do for us next trip.

Here is a suggestion for staying at CBR that may help you. If you are planning on being in the parks and out and about most of the time (like us)- I wouldn't shell out the extra $$$$$$$. However, if you plan on enjoying the resort and spending a decent amount there instead of just sleeping there (like us again ), then it may be worth it to you. It is just not worth it to my family right now because Austin is still little- he likes all of the bright colors, huge characters, and excitement that the values have to offer. And as far as preferred rooms go, that is out the window right now!!!!! Let me tell you this in case you do stay at POP, as long as you do non preferred and try to request the 50's (bowling pins), 60's (Play doh), or 70's (Big Wheel) non preferred sections, it is really not that much different in paying preferred. We are going to be saving almost 100.00- to me, a few extra steps is not worth it- we learned that last time. As long as you are not stuck way out in the 90's or 80's buildings it shouldn't be that far of a walk.


HEHEHEHEHEH we will probably run into each other at El Pirate y El Pericos !!!!

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

Another boring day at work .

Tonight, I went with my friend Toni from work to David's Bridal . She is one of the ones that I went on my girls trip back in June with, and I am one of her bridesmaids. All of the bridesmaids are getting together tomorrow but I cannot make it so I went tonight. She is getting married October 15th of this year. Let me tell you, what a night this was!!!! Every dress in my size that they had to try on was either bright red or some ugly strange color- I would have looked like (how do I say this in a nice way)- hmmm a brothel leader )???? So we were just trying the dresses on for style and then we would just order it in the color she wants.

So after David's Bridal, we split and I went to AC Moore's (craft store here) to get light transfer paper for white tshirts. I plan on doing some shirts this weekend . Well, I am off to pick up some disigns- wish me luck!!

 

[Charlefours]

Are you going to share your shirts?? I am planning on doing a few too! Marion created one DISign for me and I am working on a few myself. Looking forward to seeing them!

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

Are you going to share your shirts?? I am planning on doing a few too! Marion created one DISign for me and I am working on a few myself. Looking forward to seeing them!

I sure am!!!! As soon as I get Bill to help me upload my pics to my photobucket, and learn how to get them on here- you guys will finally be able to see who you've been reading about all of these months .

I hope you are going to share your disigns as well- I look forward to seeing them!!!

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

A lazy day at home today- I haven't done a thing all day except relax and price airline tickets and WDW packages. I really should get up and straighten up the house before dh gets home

So I was on Disney's Mom's Panel today, and there was a question about free dining. So if you book your package now, and they offer free dining a few months from now- can it be applied to my package? And the answer was yes, as long as there was rooms available and you meet check in/out standards- but you have to call them to either add on the DDP or have them adjust it to free if you already booked it. So, I was thinking...... I just may be booking by the end of this month .

I also think that I am content with our dates. I am pretty certain that free dining will return- it is such a popular promotion, and with the tough economy, I cannot see Disney doing away with it. I think it will be similar to the fall DDP offered this past fall though- where if you book a value resort, you get the free QSDP which is FINE with me !!!!!!

So, being that I am certain that free dining will be back- I am going to book the reservation as follows:

Monday September 20, 2010- Saturday September 25, 2010
Pop Century Resort Non-preferred/ Request in for the 50's or 60's non preferred rooms.
QSDP
Magic Your Way Base ticket (5 days since we will be flying in Monday night)
However, I just may add on the Park hopper later on (but I am not going to book it initially)

There you have it, that is our ressie!!!!!!! A few minor things may change between now and then (like if I can't get a Monday night flight out- which shouldn't be a problem).

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

Ok so I am going to try to get photos of us on here. Here it goes:

 

[PixieDustPrincess05]

Okay I know you have all been waiting!!!!

So here is my little man, Austin and his Mickey Mouse

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Bill and I at Hershey's Chocolate World in January of '09 (not the best picture of me anyway, but you get the idea)

[/IMG]

I have no clue if i did this right or not, but they are on here. Can anyone give me suggestions on how to easily get them from photobucket?