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

[Tltorrez]

When we went last year, my parents drove down separately (they were going to the Keys after WDW). We had an ADR at Sanaa but we ended up missing it (due to half a car getting wedged underneath us but thats another story ....). My parents still went and they said it was amazing, their favourite meal of the vacation - and they are real foodies (they attend Food Network seminars and stuff).

That recommendation makes me even more excited. It's hard to get good reviews on places that are more exotic than most people's tastes.

You don't happen to know about Marrakesh, do you? It gets distinctly mediocre reviews but you never know with cuisine like that.

 

[SAT887]

I haven't seen any evidence that suggests online check-in affects this. From what I understand, the rooms are assigned ahead ( not sure how far) no at check-in. So availability if your room depends on the people checking out and mousekeeping. When we arrived early our room wasn't ready but we were expecting that so chevked our bags and we went to lunch.

I've read a lot on a few DVC websites that people often seem to get into their room when they said they were arriving. I've used online check in our past 2 visits and have gotten into our room when we arrived. For us it's always a big help because of our early start on the first day.

 

[Tltorrez]

Target has lots of glow stick things in their dollar area. Including wands and swords! I picked up necklaces and a wand and sword for DBF and I. I also got hand soap from Method in a Minnie Mouse head for the hotel room.

Does anyone have any advice on pre-paying for PhotoPass or PhotoPass+? I'm considering the Plus. DBF and I have very few pics of us together. He won't be going on most of the rides that are on the Plus with me. But we do have HDDR and CRT booked, and this is our first real vacation together. This is one of those things I'm waffling over.

48 days until we leave!!!

I always do PP. We take a ton of PP pics in the parks, even without doing a lot if characters, We won't be doing the Plus though. Not unless my son starts riding thrill rides; then I'll happily pay for ride photos.

 

[Tltorrez]

Phew, I think I'm caught up. Need more coffee!

So, I'm fairly certain knowing how much planning we all do that I am about to scandalize people, but I actually further pared down our scheduled plans so we can be a bit more spontaneous. No Hoop De Doo, no La Nouba, no MVMCP. If we want to do one, we'll attempt to get tickets while we are there, or just pass.

I was talking to my mom, and she really wants to just enjoy being there, with me etc. So, I present to you, the bare minimum plan. I think it is still more involved than most folks, but for an over planner like me it is woefully pared down!!!

Dec 10: Plane lands at 2:45. We're either going to MK for MSEP and fireworks, or to HS for Fantasmic. We'll decide when we get there!

Dec 11: 9:30 a.m. ADR at Chef Mickeys! Going... wherever we want! I suspect MK.

Dec 12: 12:25 ADR at Sci-Fi, so I suspect we'll be at HS all day. But if we saw Fantasmic on the 10th... who knows where we will end up!

Dec 13: 6:15 La Cellier ADR, so we'll at least be at Epcot for Dinner!

Dec 14: Last Day. Nothing planned. Not a darned thing. I'm thinking about making an ADR for breakfast (we'll have a TS credit left at this point). Maybe Kona? After that it's wherever the breeze blows us! I might *gasp* wait to make that ADR until we are there.

Dec 15: DME picks us up at 9:00 a.m. or so. Sniff. Sniff.

I think part of sensible planning is not trying to fill in every available time slot. This looks like a perfectly fine plan to me. I'm trying to be this restrained.

 

[Valgoof]

So do I. DH has had bad teeth since he was a kid. I'm hoping DS didn't inherit that from his father or there might be more problems as he gets older.

We were at a birthday party back in April and one of DH's aunts was talking about her false teeth. I looked around and started thinking about it and realized that his dad's whole side of the family has dentures. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and parents. I told DH that he doesn't have a chance!! His family has all kinds of weird issues that I didnt want to pass on to a child.

 

[Tltorrez]

It looks like AK hours are being extended in Jan-April 2013 too. So maybe, it's just a new thing they are trying and not related to crowds at all.

When does FOTLK close? I wonder if its related to that?

 

[mom2travel]

That recommendation makes me even more excited. It's hard to get good reviews on places that are more exotic than most people's tastes.

You don't happen to know about Marrakesh, do you? It gets distinctly mediocre reviews but you never know with cuisine like that.

DH and I enjoyed our meal at Sanaa. But personally I like Boma better.
When we ate at Marrakesh (granted, about 5 years ago) DH & I were disappointed. The other 8 adults all seemed to like it though. We thought it was kind of bland (both had the chicken) compared to what we expected. Don't think we'll go back there. I would go back to Sanaa.

Honestly, I believe in trying everything once yourself and not going by reviews. Everyone's tastes and expectations are different.

 

[Valgoof]

That recommendation makes me even more excited. It's hard to get good reviews on places that are more exotic than most people's tastes.

Me too!! BIL also said it was their best meal of the trip.

 

[geckodani]

This poor kid has had nothing but problems since August. He's never missed so much school (which started last month) in the first 2 months as he has this year, let alone gym class. And we go away to Disney in 38 days! I'm praying that we don't have anymore issues from this point on!

CALGON TAKE ME AWAY! (Anyone remember that commercial?)

Poor kiddo. Nothing but sympathy for him! He'll get through it though. Have him swish with salt water too - it helps with the pain.

I think part of sensible planning is not trying to fill in every available time slot. This looks like a perfectly fine plan to me. I'm trying to be this restrained.

Bless you. : I'm feeling really good about it. I really ran DH and I into the ground last year, which made the trip less enjoyable than it could have been. I'm trying to avoid a repeat with my mom!

 

[WedgieSock]

That recommendation makes me even more excited. It's hard to get good reviews on places that are more exotic than most people's tastes.

You don't happen to know about Marrakesh, do you? It gets distinctly mediocre reviews but you never know with cuisine like that.

I don't but that is another place I really want to try as I love Moroccan food. It is very flavoursome. We really like 'exotic' foods - I think that is partly because we are from the UK - although we have our own traditional dishes, world food is very much available especially Indian & West Indian food. All our kids are raised on curries from around the world. That is why at home, once a month we do an international dinner and make a big thing of it because my daughter was 3 when she came here and there isn't much 'exotic' choice round these parts.

 

[WedgieSock]

DH and I enjoyed our meal at Sanaa. But personally I like Boma better.
When we ate at Marrakesh (granted, about 5 years ago) DH & I were disappointed. The other 8 adults all seemed to like it though. We thought it was kind of bland (both had the chicken) compared to what we expected. Don't think we'll go back there. I would go back to Sanaa.

Honestly, I believe in trying everything once yourself and not going by reviews. Everyone's tastes and expectations are different.

I can see why you thought that if you were expecting something else - Moroccan food is fragrant as opposed to bold.

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

Speaking of online check-in, we did it last time and it was really nice having a welcome packet ready and not to mention the line at POP was a lot shorter for online check-in.

I thought about asking how much it would be to upgrade to CL at check-in at WL. I know chances are slim to none, but I heard sometimes you can get a better deal on the price if you ask at check-in. Again, I know the odds are it won't be a better price and who knows if anything is even available. If I do online check-in, my guess is I wouldn't be able to switch to CL if there is an opprutunity? Or maybe there is but it would probably annoy the CM that is helping me.

 

[PrincessAurora27]

I always do PP. We take a ton of PP pics in the parks, even without doing a lot if characters, We won't be doing the Plus though. Not unless my son starts riding thrill rides; then I'll happily pay for ride photos.

Thanks.. A few people I know suggested just buying the CD after the trip. I kinda like the idea of having it before hand. I'm just weighing the pros and cons.

I figure if I would have bought 2-3 ride photos, plus HDDR that makes up the difference between PP and PP+.

Not sure how I ended up planning this trip out. It was supposed to be DBFs trip.

 

[tofubeast]

Good Morning, Dis pals.

I am working from home today, playing nurse for DH who has the stomach flu. So hoping DD and I don't catch it too. Cross your fingers, please!

Welcome to all our new roll callers! Happy to have you join us!

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

Good Morning, Dis pals.

I am working from home today, playing nurse for DH who has the stomach flu. So hoping DD and I don't catch it too. Cross your fingers, please!

Welcome to all our new roll callers! Happy to have you join us!

Sending you good vibes that you both stay health!

 

[cybrkitn]

Poor kiddo. Nothing but sympathy for him! He'll get through it though. Have him swish with salt water too - it helps with the pain.

I forgot about that. DS can be very stubborn and has never liked gargling with salt water

 

[Tltorrez]

Poor kiddo. Nothing but sympathy for him! He'll get through it though. Have him swish with salt water too - it helps with the pain.

Bless you. : I'm feeling really good about it. I really ran DH and I into the ground last year, which made the trip less enjoyable than it could have been. I'm trying to avoid a repeat with my mom!

We overdid it last year too. I started with a full but reasonable plan. Then I added Wild Africa Trek which sucked up half a day and really crammed things in. Totally worth it but exhausting nonetheless.

But then, last year we had no real expectation of coming back soon. DH even said -"well, we've seen almost everything so no need to come back anytime soon." Fortunately, a last minute trip to F&W solved that misconception. This time we have APs, so I know we'll be coming back.

 

[SAT887]

Speaking of online check-in, we did it last time and it was really nice having a welcome packet ready and not to mention the line at POP was a lot shorter for online check-in.

I thought about asking how much it would be to upgrade to CL at check-in at WL. I know chances are slim to none, but I heard sometimes you can get a better deal on the price if you ask at check-in. Again, I know the odds are it won't be a better price and who knows if anything is even available. If I do online check-in, my guess is I wouldn't be able to switch to CL if there is an opprutunity? Or maybe there is but it would probably annoy the CM that is helping me.

I would think going through regular check in would make must sense if you plan on checking about CL. I think it would be easier on the CM...

 

[Valgoof]

Next question about my Sanaa reservation. I have never been to AKL. If we drive over, is it obvious how to get to Kidani Village? If we take the bus from AK, Kidani is the first stop, right? So then after lunch we could walk to Jambo House or get on any bus at Kidani and get off at Jambo, right? We will probably just drive over if we are done at AK for the day. Just need to know all the variables.

 

[Tltorrez]

Thanks.. A few people I know suggested just buying the CD after the trip. I kinda like the idea of having it before hand. I'm just weighing the pros and cons.

I figure if I would have bought 2-3 ride photos, plus HDDR that makes up the difference between PP and PP+.

Not sure how I ended up planning this trip out. It was supposed to be DBFs trip.

It's cheaper if you pre-order. And if you later decide you don't like the pics or didn't get enough to be worthwhile, you can cancel for a refund. (Note: refund for PP CD pre-order not for PP+.) but honestly we always have hundreds of pics.