Planning Our Happily Ever After - A Disneymoon PTR! (NEW 7/13 - TR Link!)

[klacey1]

Hmmm, that's tough. Honestly, I'd have to go with getting them now and saving approximately 800 on the two trips you KNOW are going to happen. I guess I'm a bit cautious, so to bank on two additional trips that you aren't 100% sure will happen just seems a bit scary! Like PP said, you can always renew the AP's after June if you do end up planning two more trips in 2011-12. I think renewing is cheaper than purchasing new, right??

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi!
LOL I had a spreadsheet to work out the potential savings on buying APs for our two trips coming up!

another thing to throw into the disney equations..

once you have an AP, you can also buy a Tables in Wonderland card ($75) which saves you 20% in practically every table-service restaurant in WDW, plus several counter service places & bars/lounges.
18% gratuity is automatically added... so - say a meal cost $100 ($118 + tip) you would only pay $98.

When I worked out this sum for us.. it'll save us loads on food... as well as the possible hotel discounts we might find!

sorry if i confused you even more with the decision!!

Emma x

 

[praisehisname]

I'm cautious by nature, and would definitely go with the "sure thing" as opposed to the "possibly."

 

[alliebelle3]

I think you should go for the AP. I was actually having the same debate with myself, as I'm planning a January 2011 trip and then again in December 2011, so it made sense. Also, like Disneybarbie said, you get the 20% off of food & bev. with the Tables in Wonderland card. I've never had an AP, but DVC members get a discount on the AP, so I'm just going to go for it! I think it'll be a great savings.

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Oh n, it's the FUZZY DISNEY MATH !!!!

I vote with the two guaranteed trips, and if the additional trips pan out, then you can just renew your passes.......although, is the AP room discount a guarantee??

just something to think about......

That fuzzy Disney math can be dangerous! The AP room discount isn't a guarantee, but since our trip doesn't fall under a peak time I feel pretty confident we'd get something (even if it isn't 40%). The only savings I can really bank on at this point is the ticket prices.

I went through the same thing earlier in the year, when I was planning my Disneymoon for May, and then knowing I'd be going again this November. I considered upgrading the tix I already had through the package to AP's when I got to WDW in May, but after doing all the math, it wouldn't have saved me that much. Although, when I was thinking about the November trip back then, we were only going to go from a Sunday-Saturday, and now we are going Friday-Saturday, so that's 2 days I didn't add in back then!


I obviously didn't end up going for the AP's, but I probably should have! So I don't have any advice for you, AP's seem like a good idea if you have more than one trip in a year, but they also seem confusing to me!

It is all so confusing! There's just so much to think about - especially when a lot of the decision factors are still unknown. If our only savings were coming from the tickets, I probably wouldn't feel the urge to buy AP's, but the savings we could get at the Poly are so appealing. (Of course I won't know for sure for months!) Ahhhh, it's all making my head spin!

Love the pictures!!

I debated APs too, but didn't do it. I don't think the savings was enough for us, so I definitely think you have to look at it on an individual basis!

Thanks! I really do feel the savings would be worth it for us, but there's still a lot of sticker shock when it comes to actually buying them!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

You know my vote!!!! Seriously, I know the money is a lot up front (going to cost $1500 for us!) but it is so nice knowing that your tickets are paid for on the next trip! Word of caution is that they are addictive and you will always be trying to figure out another trip!

Randy did inform me last night that we are getting APs for sure next year. He also mentioned that he didn't think for a second that I will last 15 months between trips so he anticipates that I will be doing some kind of girls weekend or something Um ok...if you give me permission...I'm planning see what I mean about them being addictive. I'm just mad I didn't renew my last one. They were offering $$$ off AND an extra 3 months to renew

You know, if you aren't comfortable doing the money upfront....you could always buy 1 AP and get MAW tickets for the other person. Only 1 of you needs to have an AP to get the room discount.

I think if I do end up buying them I'll definitely be plotting another trip before they expire. Two just doesn't seem like enough (even though one of our trips will be long). I'm still hoping for a F&W weekend, so that's always a possibility.

Only buying one is another thing that has crossed my mind. In fact, I think I'll go make another spreadsheet now and see how it pans out!

Ok... if I have this all wrong I apologize... but here is what I am thinking.
You know APs will save you $810 on the current 2 trips you know you are going on. You are just wondering if you would save more if you waited and bought them for the honeymoon and the two future 'maybe' trips. Is the renewal price for an AP cheaper than buying a new AP? If so, you might have to extend your math to include the renewal and those 2 'maybe' trips. Then you would have your big picture idea of what makes sense. Hmmm, that was not very helpful, was it?

It makes sense! I think to really determine our true savings and the worth I would need to do like you said and price out some future trips. I was actually intending on doing that, but I'm feeling the crunch to make my decision before the prices go up. You know, someone should open up a Disney financial consulting firm and figure these things out for people!

Hmmm, that's tough. Honestly, I'd have to go with getting them now and saving approximately 800 on the two trips you KNOW are going to happen. I guess I'm a bit cautious, so to bank on two additional trips that you aren't 100% sure will happen just seems a bit scary! Like PP said, you can always renew the AP's after June if you do end up planning two more trips in 2011-12. I think renewing is cheaper than purchasing new, right??

I feel the same way - guaranteed savings, even if they are possibly less, seem like a much better bet. I'm not sure how much it costs to renew, but I do know it's cheaper than the first purchase. This could become dangerous!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Hi!
LOL I had a spreadsheet to work out the potential savings on buying APs for our two trips coming up!

another thing to throw into the disney equations..

once you have an AP, you can also buy a Tables in Wonderland card ($75) which saves you 20% in practically every table-service restaurant in WDW, plus several counter service places & bars/lounges.
18% gratuity is automatically added... so - say a meal cost $100 ($118 + tip) you would only pay $98.

When I worked out this sum for us.. it'll save us loads on food... as well as the possible hotel discounts we might find!

sorry if i confused you even more with the decision!!

Emma x

I've been thinking about TiW too! I was really hoping I would be able to really sit down and plan it out to find out how much we might save with it but that was when I thought I wouldn't have to worry about purchasing the AP's until June. I'm still so undecided on ADR's for the honeymoon so it's kind of hard to get an accurate feel. I did total up our November ADR's though (since we aren't using the dining plan then) and we would basically break even with the card on that trip, so I know with the June trip we would be saving.

I'm cautious by nature, and would definitely go with the "sure thing" as opposed to the "possibly."

I'm the same way. I think buying them now is much safer than waiting and holding out for more future trips.

I think you should go for the AP. I was actually having the same debate with myself, as I'm planning a January 2011 trip and then again in December 2011, so it made sense. Also, like Disneybarbie said, you get the 20% off of food & bev. with the Tables in Wonderland card. I've never had an AP, but DVC members get a discount on the AP, so I'm just going to go for it! I think it'll be a great savings.

I think it really will be worth it in the end. And it will be so nice come next June and we don't have to worry about buying any tickets.

 

[therussells08]

Hi! I just found your PTR and I am loving it! I am definitely subbing! You and Miguel look like such a happy couple! Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! DH and I stayed at POFQ on our Disneymoon and it was the best. I am so glad we chose to go to WDW for our honeymoon!

That is awesome that you get to go in November too! I haven't been to WDW in over a year, and I still have five more months to wait. I'm going crazy! I can't wait to hear all about all of your exciting trips you have coming up, and to hear more about your wedding plans!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Hi! I just found your PTR and I am loving it! I am definitely subbing! You and Miguel look like such a happy couple! Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! DH and I stayed at POFQ on our Disneymoon and it was the best. I am so glad we chose to go to WDW for our honeymoon!

That is awesome that you get to go in November too! I haven't been to WDW in over a year, and I still have five more months to wait. I'm going crazy! I can't wait to hear all about all of your exciting trips you have coming up, and to hear more about your wedding plans!

Thanks so much for joining in! And thanks for your kind words! Isn't POFQ the best?! Miguel and I just love it - it will always be my Disney home. I'm going over to check out your PTR now!

 

[BippityBoo]

HI!!!! I am sorry I have been away for so long I think you made the right choice in PORS!!! It looks fantastic. When we stay at a Moderate, I will totally pick POR. I have heard wonderful things (especially about Riverside).

I am so excited your honeymoon is so close! (11 months IS close---time goes quickly).

Your ADRs look awesome! Can't wait to hear more

 

[Jennifer48]

Fuzzy Disney Math on a Monday morning is not easy for me to read but, you definately have 2 trips booked in one year span. In my opinion, AP is the right move for you. You will save money on your hotel, park tickets and food (if you get the TiW card). So besides the fact that you have to fork over all that money up front (which can be scary) I think you should do it.

Remember, you can buy it now and it doesn't activate until your first day in the park which is in November. If you wait until Nov to purchase, the price might go up. Once your renewal is up, its cheaper to renew than purchase another at a later date.

Just my opinion. Good luck with your decision!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

HI!!!! I am sorry I have been away for so long I think you made the right choice in PORS!!! It looks fantastic. When we stay at a Moderate, I will totally pick POR. I have heard wonderful things (especially about Riverside).

I am so excited your honeymoon is so close! (11 months IS close---time goes quickly).

Your ADRs look awesome! Can't wait to hear more

Hey, Katie! It's good to "see" you again! I've been anxiously awaiting another update on your PTR! We are really excited about POR! I can't wait to stay there in November. I'm so happy that our AAA discount worked out.

Fuzzy Disney Math on a Monday morning is not easy for me to read but, you definately have 2 trips booked in one year span. In my opinion, AP is the right move for you. You will save money on your hotel, park tickets and food (if you get the TiW card). So besides the fact that you have to fork over all that money up front (which can be scary) I think you should do it.

Remember, you can buy it now and it doesn't activate until your first day in the park which is in November. If you wait until Nov to purchase, the price might go up. Once your renewal is up, its cheaper to renew than purchase another at a later date.

Just my opinion. Good luck with your decision!

I think fuzzy Disney math can be a little hard to follow any time! It is fuzzy after all! I think I've pretty much decided to buy an AP - now the question is do I go ahead and buy one for the both of us, or just get one now (so we can get room discounts) and decide on the other later?

 

[TokyoDina]

Been gone for a while! But I'm back! Have you picked out a dress yet?

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Been gone for a while! But I'm back! Have you picked out a dress yet?

Hey! I was wondering where you were! No, no dress yet. I'm planning on starting my search in October - I'd like to lose about 20 lbs first.

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

A FEW UPDATES

This post will be a random mixture of some things I wanted to fill you all in on before I leave for Italy this weekend!

First off, my hair:
I think I surprised some of you when I revealed I have curly hair, since all of my wdw pictures show me with my hair up! A few of you asked to see a picture, but…I couldn’t find one on my computer! That just goes to show how often I wear my hair down. Well, this past Friday I was finally able to make an appointment to get my hair cut – I was desperately in need of one! I think I ended up having close to a foot of hair cut off! My hair had gotten so long is was right about to my waist, and now if hangs a little past my shoulders when it’s dry. It’s taking some getting used to – but I’ve had my hair this length before and really liked it. I remembered to take a picture Friday night after the big chop to show that I do in fact have curly hair – so here it is!

Next up, shoes:
Well, I’ve had the Tevas for a couple weeks now, and I have to admit…I don’t love them. I like them, but not as much as I was hoping to. I took them for a test run shopping one Saturday and ended up switching back to my faithful Ecco’s. In the Tevas defense, I visited a shoe store that day where I got a two hour lecture about exactly what kind of shoe I needed and why my feet hurt so bad…it was all very informative, but two hours later and after trying on a bevy of very expensive, and very ugly shoes, all I wanted to do was slip into a nice “familiar” pair for the remainder of my shopping.
I haven’t given up on the Tevas, though. I will be taking them to Italy, but they’ll mostly be my nighttime/dinner shoes. I did buy another pair of shoes for the trip though, and so far I really like them. They are really comfortable and I think they look pretty decent too. They’re a pair of Ecco’s as well. Here’s a picture:

I figure I can interchange between these and my black Ecco’s and then wear the Tevas at night.

And finally…AP’s:
No Ap’s have been purchased…yet. However, I am going to buy one. Just one – for myself. Even with the savings I knew we would get out of the AP’s and the great savings we could get, Miguel and I were both hesitant to buy both AP’s right now. But then the lovely Kristine here reminded me that I could just buy one AP and still receive the discount benefits. The more I thought about this idea, the better it seemed. While the money we’ll save on tickets is nice ($82 a piece), it’s those potential hotel savings that we really want. So, for now we’ll just buy an AP for me, and we’ll get Miguel his 4 day park-hopper for November. If between then and now we decide Miguel should have an AP too, we can upgrade on the trip. I’m planning on buying either tomorrow or Thursday – I’ll be sure to let you know when I do!

 

[redlight]

Wow! A foot of hair off, and your hair is still long. It's really pretty too.

 

[TokyoDina]

Holy mess how long was your hair??? I love that your FI has the same name as my hubby only in Spanish.

I think you guys will go with whatever is good for you at the time. We had AP to DL and we used them beyond what we paid for them. Now we don't go as often. I think I maybe had too much Disney on the plate. But yeah I think they were totally worth it in the long run.

Can't wait to come to GA this Christmas!

 

[Dug-says-HI-THERE!]

HOLY COW! You cut off a FOOT of hair and it's STILL shoulder length ?!? Amazing.....If my hair gets mid back, I get ansy and want to cut it off....which is where I'm at right now.....I'm thinking of cutting it like the character Alice, from Twilight? Major change, huh?

I've never heard of ECCO shoes....I am intrigued now.....must do more research

YAY for deciding on the one AP purchase....it'll still provide you the benefits you want, without breaking your financial plan, right now

 

[Tracy161]

Wow, Italy is already this weekend?! Have a fantastic time! Good call on the AP, that way you can still get the savings you want without dropping all the money at the same time. Plus, you can always get the upgrade when you get there anyway if you change your mind! Have a GREAT time in Italy! Can't wait to hear all about it when you return!!!

 

[klacey1]

Your hair looks great!! The curls look so healthy and pretty-- you should wear it down more often!
I was never a Teva's fan, personally. I don't find them as supportive as Reef's. However, for the nights, you should be fine!!
Have a WONDERFUL time in Italy!!