PART FOUR!! *December 2012 Roll Call* Holidays, FLE & MVMCP!! A very, merry thread!

[WedgieSock]

And to add to this - use it as a way to get a trip next year?

"But Hun, I supported you, moved our vacation around- canceled and rearranged everything for my dream WDW vacation....."

HA! Totally !

 

[SAT887]

Thanks. I found a few that I am happy with. Just hate to give up LC and Ohana. But I will make some other ADR searcher very happy.

True. There is always the next trip, right? I havent called yet to see about the free dining. I dont think my new check in date was included though.

Yeah, I think, like with your situation, I will be fine with either plan. I just want to know which one it will be. DH would enjoy the freedom. He didnt want to have an ADR everyday.

I will definitely call once I know what I am doing.

Isn't free dining included if it falls on any day of your trip?

 

[WedgieSock]

Isn't free dining included if it falls on any day of your trip?

Your check-in day has to be on one of the dates - for instance, we arrive on the 7th but FD didn't start until the 10th for that period so we couldn't get it .... luckily we recieved an FD pin back in March. I wonder how Disney will handle Valgoofs situation because usually, if you have to change it becomes a new booking so, its booked at current price (not sure if Val booked before or after price change in June). Being a new booking, they won't be able to add free dining because that offer had to be booked by a particular date which has now gone.

 

[SAT887]

Your check-in day has to be on one of the dates - for instance, we arrive on the 7th but FD didn't start until the 10th for that period so we couldn't get it .... luckily we recieved an FD pin back in March. I wonder how Disney will handle Valgoofs situation because usually, if you have to change it becomes a new booking so, its booked at current price (not sure if Val booked before or after price change in June). Being a new booking, they won't be able to add free dining because that offer had to be booked by a particular date which has now gone.

Gotcha. Makes sense - we never qualify for it so I don't know much about FD

 

[Tltorrez]

Your check-in day has to be on one of the dates - for instance, we arrive on the 7th but FD didn't start until the 10th for that period so we couldn't get it .... luckily we recieved an FD pin back in March. I wonder how Disney will handle Valgoofs situation because usually, if you have to change it becomes a new booking so, its booked at current price (not sure if Val booked before or after price change in June). Being a new booking, they won't be able to add free dining because that offer had to be booked by a particular date which has now gone.

It won't necessarily be a new booking if she keeps a package (i.e. keeps the tickets but drops the dining plan). The CMs generally try very hard to make changes without making a new booking. I read recently about someone who had a BB offer and then much later changed her dates and was able to keep the long-since-expired BB. Of course, the discount was still applicable and available to the room and dates she moved to but it didn't matter that it was expired. In this case, FD isn't applicable to Valgoof's new dates though.

Are the room-only discounts still available? Switching to Room Only would require a new booking but if there are discounts still it might be worth it. The only downside would be they would have to refund all her payments and she'd have to put down a new deposit. But the final payment wouldn't be due until check-in so she'd have the refund by then.

 

[WedgieSock]

It won't necessarily be a new booking if she keeps a package (i.e. keeps the tickets but drops the dining plan). The CMs generally try very hard to make changes without making a new booking. I read recently about someone who had a BB offer and then much later changed her dates and was able to keep the long-since-expired BB. Of course, the discount was still applicable and available to the room and dates she moved to but it didn't matter that it was expired. In this case, FD isn't applicable to Valgoof's new dates though.

Are the room-only discounts still available? Switching to Room Only would require a new booking but if there are discounts still it might be worth it. The only downside would be they would have to refund all her payments and she'd have to put down a new deposit. But the final payment wouldn't be due until check-in so she'd have the refund by then.

Thats what I'm hoping! I just want it to go smoothly for Val so its not too crazy

 

[sokerfrog]

Thanks. I found a few that I am happy with. Just hate to give up LC and Ohana. But I will make some other ADR searcher very happy.
.

You never know what you will find. The first time we went with free dining, we knew nothing about ADRs and that people made reservations 180 days before their trips!

We made our dining reservations each morning before we went to the park for the day. Knowing nothing about anything, we were going to Epcot, so we picked a steak place in Canada one morning cause it was open. . Turns out...it was pretty tasty.

 

[molitva]

I don't know how old your MIL is, but my sis's MIL drives around the SF bay area like a fiend because she's done it all of her life- I would not trust her to drive anywhere outside her usual routes, though.

My elderly aunt and uncle actually take binoculars when they go to "the big city" so she can see the signs and tell him what to do well before they need to do it. At least they know they need to be careful!
Definitely! But it's hard to keep my eye on the page when I'm sliding to and fro.

I'm days behind on posts but lmao! I just had to immediately post and thank you for the laugh. I can just imagine cute elderly couple driving; the wife with binoculars to her face! Lol so cute!

 

[molitva]

Valgoof! Fingers crosses for plan a or plan b! I don't think I could wait another year after being this close! Soooo hoping it all gets ironed out!

 

[WedgieSock]

Where is Valgoof? We need answers!!!!

 

[SAT887]

Where is Valgoof? We need answers!!!!

I know right?!?

 

[Valgoof]

Where is Valgoof? We need answers!!!!

Just a second. Slow typer on ipad.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Drag us please!!

I need a distraction. Last night I picked DH up after he ran over a deer someone had just hit.... I got to drive 45 miles on a deer infested highway at midnight after being up since 3:45am... I am exhausted. New car has a broken radiator and bottom plastic thing ripped off... Thankfully we have full coverage... And a $250 deductible....

I'm still grumpy though

Yuck!!! I've been lucky to never hit a deer, but I've had many run in front of me at night or early morning. Glad he is okay.

Basically I am not sure if my countdown today is at 34 days, 27 days or 370 days.
DH is having work issues and may be changing positions in December. This would be fine and it is not his decision to make but he would prefer to change. The problem is, someone in the new department has his week of vacation scheduled, so DH would have to switch to a week earlier. So my trip that has been planned for months either stays the same, or I am planning a trip in 20 days or we postpone to next November. There are pros and cons to each option. And I wont know anything for sure until next Monday. So now I am like Terri with the multiple plans.
Plan A----Dec 15-22. Current trip, all planned and paid for.
Plan B----Dec 8-15. Would still get to go this year, but it would not be the trip I planned. No dessert party, Le Cellier or Ohana. I would lose free dining, so we would probably do OOP and do just a couple TS. I have made a few ADRs, not sure what I will keep. This was what we had planned on doing originally until free dining was extended. Kind of excited about the flexibility of this and the ability to eat more snacky foods. Most of the plan would stay the same. Not sure if I can change my MVMCP ticket date. I know I cant get a refund. Would need to decide if I want to pay for them again. Would crunch the numbers again for a different resort, if we are paying less for tips, maybe no party and probably would not do pp+. Airfare is cheaper. Would be there at the same time as many of you, but would not get to meet Jordan, grrrenlyl, molitva and everyone else that is going the next week.
Plan C----Nov 16-23, 2013. It's so far away!!!!! Life is short and who knows what will happen in the next year to prevent me from going. BUT I would be able to plan a trip again. I would definitely stay deluxe. Depending on whether or not my DB gets a full time teaching job after graduation or subs next year, he might be able to go. That would be nice, but not something I could plan on at this point. I would try again for BOG and things would be less crazy than this year with all the new openings. Would miss the big MK tree, but I think most of the other decorations would be up. Need to check that schedule of the holiday events.

So I could be fine with any of the options, just frustrated to have to wait to make any necessary changes. You can chime in whether you would do plan B or C if I end up needing to make that choice.

I'm chiming in for Plan B! You never know, it could wind up being an even better trip with the spontineity and rearranging. And you can always eat at Le Cellier and Ohana during a future trip. Or you could get lucky and have one open up between now and then! I rarely do ADRs and eat CS instead since it gives me the freedom to do what I want without checking the time constantly to make sure I'm where I need to be.

 

[mom2travel]

So, its just dining we have to sort out - to be honest, you might be lucky and get some great ADRs so near the time, you never know! What I would do is an "open" search online and see what restaurants you get up for that time and maybe schedule your park days off that.

It might be chaotic but we are here to help and support

That's what I was thinking.

Valgoof - with this whole group you'll have plan b worked out real fast!

 

[Valgoof]

Ok just got off the phone to see what my options are. Confirmed that FD starts on the 10th, so she checked the 10-15 for Pop, Por, Pofq, Csr, WL and AKL and the only one with FD available wad POP. So I could do a room only the 8th and 9th at Pop or somewhere else. I would love to do somewhere else, but I think it might be awful to go from AKL to Pop. Or any deluxe to a value. Would much rather go the other way. She said the room only discounts had expired. I also had her price POR for the 8-15 and for just room and tickets, it is $400 more than my current package at Pop and then we would have to pay for food OOP. As much as I would love to do WL or AKL for the whole week, it still isnt in the budget.
So now it is--
Plan X----POR for the week. No moving. More money. No dining plan--flexibility to eat what I want.
Plan Y----2 nights at AKL (or Pop or somewhere else) and then 5 nights of free dining at Pop. We will have the annoyance of changing resorts, but will get to experience 2 resorts. If I did Pop, it would just be the cost of food for 2 days. AKL and WL would be $500 more, plus food for 2 days. POR would be $100 more, plus food. AoA would be an option too.

 

[Valgoof]

The CM gave me the price for garden view at POR. I asked about Royal rooms and she said there were none available for that week, but it shows up online.

 

[WedgieSock]

Ok just got off the phone to see what my options are. Confirmed that FD starts on the 10th, so she checked the 10-15 for Pop, Por, Pofq, Csr, WL and AKL and the only one with FD available wad POP. So I could do a room only the 8th and 9th at Pop or somewhere else. I would love to do somewhere else, but I think it might be awful to go from AKL to Pop. Or any deluxe to a value. Would much rather go the other way. She said the room only discounts had expired. I also had her price POR for the 8-15 and for just room and tickets, it is $400 more than my current package at Pop and then we would have to pay for food OOP. As much as I would love to do WL or AKL for the whole week, it still isnt in the budget.
So now it is--
Plan X----POR for the week. No moving. More money. No dining plan--flexibility to eat what I want.
Plan Y----2 nights at AKL (or Pop or somewhere else) and then 5 nights of free dining at Pop. We will have the annoyance of changing resorts, but will get to experience 2 resorts. If I did Pop, it would just be the cost of food for 2 days. AKL and WL would be $500 more, plus food for 2 days. POR would be $100 more, plus food. AoA would be an option too.

Choices, choices ....

Personally, I wouldn't want to change resorts so with the FD offer, I would stay at POP the whole time. I would think that POP would be your best option because of price & being able to have FD.

POP was your original choice, plus, I think this option would be the least chaotic of the lot.

 

[WedgieSock]

The CM gave me the price for garden view at POR. I asked about Royal rooms and she said there were none available for that week, but it shows up online.

Odd.

Well, if the budget is ok for you, of course I would choose POR because thats where I chose for this trip Plus, as an added bonus for you I'll be there HAAAAAA!

But POP seems like the practical choice .... but practical isn't always the way to go

 

[bluejasmine]

That's b/c they allot so many rooms at specific resorts per discount.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

Good morning everyone! Quite the change here today. It went from 70 degrees yesterday to 30 degrees this morning. Sometimes I really hate living here.

Ok just got off the phone to see what my options are. Confirmed that FD starts on the 10th, so she checked the 10-15 for Pop, Por, Pofq, Csr, WL and AKL and the only one with FD available wad POP. So I could do a room only the 8th and 9th at Pop or somewhere else. I would love to do somewhere else, but I think it might be awful to go from AKL to Pop. Or any deluxe to a value. Would much rather go the other way. She said the room only discounts had expired. I also had her price POR for the 8-15 and for just room and tickets, it is $400 more than my current package at Pop and then we would have to pay for food OOP. As much as I would love to do WL or AKL for the whole week, it still isnt in the budget.
So now it is--
Plan X----POR for the week. No moving. More money. No dining plan--flexibility to eat what I want.
Plan Y----2 nights at AKL (or Pop or somewhere else) and then 5 nights of free dining at Pop. We will have the annoyance of changing resorts, but will get to experience 2 resorts. If I did Pop, it would just be the cost of food for 2 days. AKL and WL would be $500 more, plus food for 2 days. POR would be $100 more, plus food. AoA would be an option too.

I would go with POP for the 2 day oop and the free dining for the rest. This way you get the freedom of eating where and when you want for the first couple of days like you liked on your last trip. I would say make whatever ADRs you can get and then just keep checking now until the day of your trip for changes. We all know how fun stalking ADRs is.