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

[tofubeast]

I'm pretty sure ADR's aren't linked to resort reservations - they can definitely be done at the same time through a CM but they're not linked. They're completely seperate. Plus not all ADR's are linked to credit cards either - only certain ones require a credit card to reserve. My work colleague had a resort reservation and ADR's and when she canceled her hotel portion (moved off-site) nothing else except the hotel were canceled.

I see. So basically, people hoping for ADRs to open up at the 45 day mark are also hoping that people who cancel their trip are nice enough to cancel their ADRs as well.

 

[ksromack]

I still don't know how to pay Do I send a check? Or should I phone and pay with my debit card (although I don't know if the bank would let that through, I've never done that amount in one go but I've been with them for a while). OR do I buy a GC through MyPoints so I get 12,000 points?

OR will they accept bottle caps???

Someone just tell me what to do. Its easier that way. Thanks.

I say pay however you can get the most out of it. I've been buying the Target WDW cards $500 at a time so it's costing me $450 out of pocket. Tomorrow will be my last $500 portion!

 

[molitva]

Wedgiesock: re your post to make "luggage" to collect items from around world showcase. You mentioned you'd put vintage stickers on the luggage (super cute idea, btw). I recalled seeing vintage stickers somewhere but I couldn't recall where or what brand. Finally stumbled upon them doing some other shopping! They are by Cavallini & Co.

http://search.paper-source.com/index/_/N-/Ntt-cavallini+stickers

It might be cheaper printing some from home, but depending on how much you print and the amount of ink you use, it might be comparable. I just think they are adorable lol

 

[M&MGirl1]

Nope. A few years ago we lost our business (rough! but all good now) so the first thing was get rid of the credit cards. Then, after tons of research (which I won't bore you with ) I decided that it would be better to learn to live without them which is what we did and, tbh, I love not having them. I don't have the dreaded credit card bill (I am a spender ) . We deal with our money differently now and, although it took a while, it works better.

Yep, I might call the bank first. I'm just thinking that, even though it will be an in-state payment and there is more than enough to cover it, its unusual for me to suddenly drop 6k, so would they class it as 'unusual activity'?. Maybe I'm just overthinking it. I can do that.

Many, many moons ago I used to be a bank teller. Call the bank and tell them the amount of the bill and who it's going to and they should flag the account to let it through. It's the same principle as calling your credit card company to let them know when you'll be traveling out of the country so they don't freeze your account by accident. Although, anymore it seems the amount per day you can put through on a debit card before the bank will freeze spending on it is astronomical. Last time I asked on my account it was well over $9,000 a day and I NEVER keep THAT much in my checking account!

 

[Tltorrez]

If people fail to pay....and Disney cancels their Resort Res -- do they cancel their ADRs as well?

If people choose to cancel on their own, but don't go in an cancel their ADRs....does Disney do that for them?

Just a thought I had. I know some people book without their resort reservation so those would be hard to track.

No, Disney doesn't cancel them. But now that they charge if you don't show up, people tend to cancel once they realize their trip isn't happening.

 

[WedgieSock]

I say pay however you can get the most out of it. I've been buying the Target WDW cards $500 at a time so it's costing me $450 out of pocket. Tomorrow will be my last $500 portion!

Thats what I wanted to do but I'm worried I won't have time, I have to be paid by 23rd. I didn't realise (and thank you for letting me know) that there was a limit on it!

Wedgiesock: re your post to make "luggage" to collect items from around world showcase. You mentioned you'd put vintage stickers on the luggage (super cute idea, btw). I recalled seeing vintage stickers somewhere but I couldn't recall where or what brand. Finally stumbled upon them doing some other shopping! They are by Cavallini & Co.

http://search.paper-source.com/index/_/N-/Ntt-cavallini+stickers

It might be cheaper printing some from home, but depending on how much you print and the amount of ink you use, it might be comparable. I just think they are adorable lol

Thank you!! I absolutely LOVE those and just the look I was looking for! Oooh, my little cases are gonna look *sings in a high voice* suuu-per

Many, many moons ago I used to be a bank teller. Call the bank and tell them the amount of the bill and who it's going to and they should flag the account to let it through. It's the same principle as calling your credit card company to let them know when you'll be traveling out of the country so they don't freeze your account by accident. Although, anymore it seems the amount per day you can put through on a debit card before the bank will freeze spending on it is astronomical. Last time I asked on my account it was well over $9,000 a day and I NEVER keep THAT much in my checking account!

Wow. I was thinking a couple of thousand. Thanks for the info I just get paranoid because I've had my card stopped so many times - in this country & in the UK - because of unusual activity. See, I will suddenly go out and buy all kinds of random stuff that have no rhyme, reason or connection then I'll get to like the 20th store and its refused*. I call and they always apologise saying it looked like a 'stolen card spending spree' .... what an insult!

 

[Tltorrez]

I see. So basically, people hoping for ADRs to open up at the 45 day mark are also hoping that people who cancel their trip are nice enough to cancel their ADRs as well.

Generally the hard-to-get ones are the ones that charge. Though not always.

 

[Tltorrez]

Thats what I wanted to do but I'm worried I won't have time, I have to be paid by 23rd. I didn't realise (and thank you for letting me know) that there was a limit on it!

Thank you!! I absolutely LOVE those and just the look I was looking for! Oooh, my little cases are gonna look *sings in a high voice* suuu-per

Wow. I was thinking a couple of thousand. Thanks for the info I just get paranoid because I've had my card stopped so many times - in this country & in the UK - because of unusual activity. See, I will suddenly go out and buy all kinds of random stuff that have no rhyme, reason or connection then I'll get to like the 20th store and its refused*. I call and they always apologise saying it looked like a 'stolen card spending spree' .... what an insult!

Our card once got shut off because DH bought a $50 phone in Wal-Mart. This was back in the landline days. But they flagged it because it was an electronics purchase in a store we never shopped in. (Wal-Marts here are terrible.)

 

[M&MGirl1]

To rent a car or not rent a car, that is the question!

We've got a 4 night trip, staying on-site at AoA, so technically we don't HAVE to have a car to get around, and it's just us 2 adults, so no messing with strollers or kiddie meltdowns waiting on a bus to worry about. A rental would be around $200 plus gas to refill the tank.

Here's what I've come up with as far as pros and cons:

The good:
A car WOULD get us to the resort, checked in and to HS the first day faster than waiting on the ME and a bus would.

The third day we're going to AK first thing in the morning, DTD in the afternoon, have a dinner ADR at the Grand Floridian and MVMCP. A car would be loads faster than dealing with the bus system, and I'm kind of worried after reading all the horror stories about how long it can take to get a bus back from DTD about missing our ADR accidently (for which sissy would have my head).

The last day we've got HS in the morning, Epcot in the afternoon and a dinner ADR at Kouzzina. We'll likely be done at Kouzzina late enough that we'd take a cab back anyway, so I guess that'd be about $20 toward the car rental right there.

Our flight back leaves at 6 am, so ME would probably pick us up around 3 am. We could easily sleep an extra hour if we had a rental car.

The Bad:
It's an extra $200 I hadn't planned on spending.

A car means I have to be responsible for figuring out directions, etc. instead of just leaving the whole mess to Disney's bus drivers and enjoying my trip.

I'd be paying for it to sit in the AoA parking lot for at least one of the day's I'm paying for.

Parking and dealing with the trams may eat up most of the time we'd save vs. using the bus system

Ok gang - Feedback, thoughts, suggestions???? Come on - talk me in or out of it!

 

[SAT887]

Ok I have had no time to get on here today... 8 pages... Maybe after dinner I pull out the laptop and start reading!!!

 

[jwgm2012]

To rent a car or not rent a car, that is the question!

Ok gang - Feedback, thoughts, suggestions???? Come on - talk me in or out of it!

I've had the same debate you have - and it's even more attractive to consider because, like you, we're 2 adults so it lends itself to the type of moving around we'll do... we can just "go" and not have to worry about anything else.

We've stayed away from renting mainly because, unless you're familiar, I've read that navigating the World can at times be pretty confusing and stressful. That alone would defeat the purpose of time-saving.

BUT the idea of not having to depend on ME for the return trip is something we'd considered - that hour can be precious time.

I don't think $200 is bad - divide that by the number of days and what you'd pay in cabs if you went that route and you'll find that it might pay for itself.

I'd say if you can afford to do it - then you should. Mainly because it will give you more mobility for your plans and just that fact that it's "available" at your beck-and-call...

 

[WedgieSock]

Our card once got shut off because DH bought a $50 phone in Wal-Mart. This was back in the landline days. But they flagged it because it was an electronics purchase in a store we never shopped in. (Wal-Marts here are terrible.)

Thats often when my card gets stopped - an electronics dept/store! Apparently electronics are a red flag.

 

[rubybpc]

I'd love to rent a car but, they have been crazy high this year just like flights! I'm holding out for good deals a few days before our trip, fares usually come down by then.

I think i've annoyed everyone (adults) who is going on our trip about our ADRS, changes, flights, resorts.. Sigh..we're still 68 days out.

 

[Valgoof]

To rent a car or not rent a car, that is the question!

Here's what I've come up with as far as pros and cons:

The good:
A car WOULD get us to the resort, checked in and to HS the first day faster than waiting on the ME and a bus would.

The third day we're going to AK first thing in the morning, DTD in the afternoon, have a dinner ADR at the Grand Floridian and MVMCP. A car would be loads faster than dealing with the bus system, and I'm kind of worried after reading all the horror stories about how long it can take to get a bus back from DTD about missing our ADR accidently (for which sissy would have my head).

The last day we've got HS in the morning, Epcot in the afternoon and a dinner ADR at Kouzzina. We'll likely be done at Kouzzina late enough that we'd take a cab back anyway, so I guess that'd be about $20 toward the car rental right there.


The Bad:
It's an extra $200 I hadn't planned on spending.

A car means I have to be responsible for figuring out directions, etc. instead of just leaving the whole mess to Disney's bus drivers and enjoying my trip.


Parking and dealing with the trams may eat up most of the time we'd save vs. using the bus system

Ok gang - Feedback, thoughts, suggestions???? Come on - talk me in or out of it!

We debated this for a while. DH wanted one, but I wasnt sure. Now I am excited about it for two of your reasons---getting back to resort from BW and I think we will be at DTD twice.

We usually drive down and have never thought it was hard to get around or that parking/trams took too long. But DH drives for work so he handles it all.

 

[#1PoohBearFan]

When: December 26th - January 1st

Where: POFQ

The last time I went to WDW in December was in 2000 when I was 2, so I don't remember that trip, but we've been in January & November

I'm most looking forward to bring there around Christmastime I love all the decorations and stuff, and plus I haven't been since June!!
It's tough not living in Florida!!
And this time, we're flying down!! We've driven the past couple trips cause my mom just doesn't like the airport stuff like security and baggage and whatever. Buuuut I'm not really liking the 16-hour drive from PA so that's exciting!

 

[WedgieSock]

I've had the same debate you have - and it's even more attractive to consider because, like you, we're 2 adults so it lends itself to the type of moving around we'll do... we can just "go" and not have to worry about anything else.

We've stayed away from renting mainly because, unless you're familiar, I've read that navigating the World can at times be pretty confusing and stressful. That alone would defeat the purpose of time-saving.

BUT the idea of not having to depend on ME for the return trip is something we'd considered - that hour can be precious time.

I don't think $200 is bad - divide that by the number of days and what you'd pay in cabs if you went that route and you'll find that it might pay for itself.

I'd say if you can afford to do it - then you should. Mainly because it will give you more mobility for your plans and just that fact that it's "available" at your beck-and-call...

I didn't find that all and take into account that I'm foreign anyway and even though I've been here nearly 9 years, I find your road system totally confusing. Infact, I found Disney to be the easiest "new" place I've driven over here.

I'm all for the car. I know its easier for us because we drive down but even if we flew, I would rent one. Disney transport is great but nothing beats getting in your own car and having a seat, your own music, control over heating/air etc. The biggest bonus is when you get to your car, there isn't a huge line of strangers waiting infront of you lol

 

[1stvisit0909]

When: December 26th - January 1st

Where: POFQ

The last time I went to WDW in December was in 2000 when I was 2, so I don't remember that trip, but we've been in January & November

I'm most looking forward to bring there around Christmastime I love all the decorations and stuff, and plus I haven't been since June!!
It's tough not living in Florida!!
And this time, we're flying down!! We've driven the past couple trips cause my mom just doesn't like the airport stuff like security and baggage and whatever. Buuuut I'm not really liking the 16-hour drive from PA so that's exciting!

We will be at POFQ at the same time.

 

[Valgoof]

I didn't find that all and take into account that I'm foreign anyway and even though I've been here nearly 9 years, I find your road system totally confusing. Infact, I found Disney to be the easiest "new" place I've driven over here.

I'm all for the car. I know its easier for us because we drive down but even if we flew, I would rent one. Disney transport is great but nothing beats getting in your own car and having a seat, your own music, control over heating/air etc. The biggest bonus is when you get to your car, there isn't a huge line of strangers waiting infront of you lol

And you know you get a seat. And you can make it as warm or cold as you want it to be.

 

[mom2travel]

To rent a car or not rent a car, that is the question!

We've got a 4 night trip, staying on-site at AoA, so technically we don't HAVE to have a car to get around, and it's just us 2 adults, so no messing with strollers or kiddie meltdowns waiting on a bus to worry about. A rental would be around $200 plus gas to refill the tank.

Here's what I've come up with as far as pros and cons:

The good:
A car WOULD get us to the resort, checked in and to HS the first day faster than waiting on the ME and a bus would.

The third day we're going to AK first thing in the morning, DTD in the afternoon, have a dinner ADR at the Grand Floridian and MVMCP. A car would be loads faster than dealing with the bus system, and I'm kind of worried after reading all the horror stories about how long it can take to get a bus back from DTD about missing our ADR accidently (for which sissy would have my head).

The last day we've got HS in the morning, Epcot in the afternoon and a dinner ADR at Kouzzina. We'll likely be done at Kouzzina late enough that we'd take a cab back anyway, so I guess that'd be about $20 toward the car rental right there.

Our flight back leaves at 6 am, so ME would probably pick us up around 3 am. We could easily sleep an extra hour if we had a rental car.

The Bad:
It's an extra $200 I hadn't planned on spending.

A car means I have to be responsible for figuring out directions, etc. instead of just leaving the whole mess to Disney's bus drivers and enjoying my trip.

I'd be paying for it to sit in the AoA parking lot for at least one of the day's I'm paying for.

Parking and dealing with the trams may eat up most of the time we'd save vs. using the bus system

Ok gang - Feedback, thoughts, suggestions???? Come on - talk me in or out of it!

My vote on car rental is no. Our preference is to be immersed in all things Disney and part of that means relaxing & no driving. We will just take a taxi where it makes sense (like our 7:45am ADR at Ohana).
I say a taxi will give you some options/less worry and still be cheaper than a car rental (plus less aggravation!).

 

[Valgoof]

Gaston is going to be out for M&G!!! I dont normally stop for characters but I am loving all this new BaTB stuff!!!