Pre-Trip Report(31) - Meal Plan or Not is the Question

[DVC_Dreamer]

Pre-Trip Report - 31 days to go before our split stay at BLT and BWV in a two bedroom suite.

The Meal Plan or Not decision was not too difficult for us to make for this year's trip. Although, we've considered it for convenience.
Some points for us:

- Even though we have a full kitchen, no cooking on vacation is the rule at this point in our DVC career.

- It's hot in June and although we are big fans of Eating, it's hard to get the bloat everyday.

- I don't see the savings for our party of 8. We have the TIW discount card from our last August trip and we'll use for tip at sit downs.

- We'll do an even mix of sit down ADR's and quick service. I don't see a meal plan to match. I like the flexibility and not having to rush to an ADR every night.

- We've saved up over $300 in gift cards. The "kids" will have these for meals if they'd like to venture out on their own. My party is all over 16.

- I enjoyed sampling all the quick service stations last year. Staying at Bay Lake, we tried them all at Poly, GF and CR. Good food.

Stock up WDW !!! I've got a gang of 8 and we're coming off the Weight Watchers Wagon for 9 days.

By dvc_dreamer at 2011-08-25

 

[LaMickey]

Dreamer . . . Just found your last trip report and thoroughly enjoyed it and the new pre-trip build up. Unfortunately I'm not a DVC member, but really appreciate all of the "expert" insight. We are making our 1st trip to BLT in early June. DW, me and 7 kids - but my oldest is only 15. It's my 4 youngest (all girls) 1st trip to the World and they are in princess heaven since they found out we were staying so close to the castle. We have a 2br through the 14th, so we'll make sure to take the best care of it until you arrive.

Thanks again and have a great trip!

 

[Chellymouse]

I say forget DDP. it's not worth it, especially if you have TIW. We ditched the DDP several years ago when we discovered TIW and we save more and eat much more "normal" for us.

 

[DVC_Dreamer]

Dreamer . . . Just found your last trip report and thoroughly enjoyed it and the new pre-trip build up. Unfortunately I'm not a DVC member, but really appreciate all of the "expert" insight. We are making our 1st trip to BLT in early June. DW, me and 7 kids - but my oldest is only 15. It's my 4 youngest (all girls) 1st trip to the World and they are in princess heaven since they found out we were staying so close to the castle. We have a 2br through the 14th, so we'll make sure to take the best care of it until you arrive.

Thanks again and have a great trip!

Holy Cow !!! 7 kids. God Bless You. You must have the patience of a Saint.

One thing we kill ourselves for not doing on our first WDW trip with our daughter is to get the Princess makeover. She used to love to pose and pretend to be a princess when she was little. She reminded me recently that she wished we did that when we went back in 2001.

Your choice of BLT in a two bedroom suite couldn't be any better for a trip to WDW for your family. Here's why:

1. Location - Mickey Mouse and the Fab Five are your neighbors. Enjoy them. When young kids get tired and hot, walk them back to the hotel and take a nap. Roll out of bed and enjoy the MK fireworks. The pool is good for 7 young ones too. Easy to keep an eye on them.

2. Great restaurants on the Monorail - Character dining available at Chef Mickey's (Mickey's Gang), Crystal Palace(Pooh), 1900 Park Fare(Cinderella).
Your daughters may enjoy Cinderella at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. My favorite restaurant on all property is O'hana at Poly.

3. Two Bedroom - Plenty of room and a kitchen if you want to make meals. Laundry is there too.

4. Split up the group - You could hang together in AM and some of your troupe could go back to room. You may have times where you want to take the older gang over to do thrill rides at night. You could do a half day at AK and night time at MK. With the transportation and your location, you have so many fun flexible options. Everyone can enjoy.

5. Ask everyone what they want from this vacation - Find out a couple things that would "make their vacation". See if you can accomplish for everyone. I've traveled with big gangs before and this time too. It's hard to do everything so cover the main things and all else is bonus.

Enjoy and don't hesitate to ask questions. Glad to help!

 

[LaMickey]

Patience – maybe. Saint – not even close! That’s more in DW’s ballpark.

Your tips make me feel so much better about our plan and choices, especially BLT. Being so close to our trip, the excitement is mixed with a little nervousness, having never stayed there before and wanting everyone to love it. But, as you noted I can’t imagine we could go wrong with that location. The flexibility of heading back for an afternoon break or taking the teenagers back out for evening EMHs was a big plus, and we will likely do this. DW doesn’t care much for the “big” rides, which works out well for me!

As a side note I found out last night that some friends of ours, that I knew were leaving today for a trip to the World, are also staying at BLT – didn’t know that part! I can’t wait to hear about their experience.

I did get input from DW and all the kids for meals and things they absolutely don’t want to miss. It seems like there is something for everyone. However, we have made a point of not stressing over it. We’ll be at WDW so even if we don’t do it all – and we won’t – it will still be a blast!

Also, we have several character ADRs:
dinner at CM the night we arrive - starting with the Big 5
breakfast at CP before MK opens - main street without the crowds, and
dinner at CRT - princesses ("Dad, are we really eating in the castle?")

Thanks again. I’ll keep reading the reports.

 

[DVC_Dreamer]

Patience – maybe. Saint – not even close! That’s more in DW’s ballpark.

Your tips make me feel so much better about our plan and choices, especially BLT. Being so close to our trip, the excitement is mixed with a little nervousness, having never stayed there before and wanting everyone to love it. But, as you noted I can’t imagine we could go wrong with that location. The flexibility of heading back for an afternoon break or taking the teenagers back out for evening EMHs was a big plus, and we will likely do this. DW doesn’t care much for the “big” rides, which works out well for me!

As a side note I found out last night that some friends of ours, that I knew were leaving today for a trip to the World, are also staying at BLT – didn’t know that part! I can’t wait to hear about their experience.

I did get input from DW and all the kids for meals and things they absolutely don’t want to miss. It seems like there is something for everyone. However, we have made a point of not stressing over it. We’ll be at WDW so even if we don’t do it all – and we won’t – it will still be a blast!

Also, we have several character ADRs:
dinner at CM the night we arrive - starting with the Big 5
breakfast at CP before MK opens - main street without the crowds, and
dinner at CRT - princesses ("Dad, are we really eating in the castle?")

Thanks again. I’ll keep reading the reports.

I read many opinions previous to my trip last year to BLT. Not everyone loves it. There are people who like the "themed" resorts. DW loves the contemporary style but some people complain about the hotel style. We loved it! DW could stay there every trip. To me, hanging out in the signature area in a two bedroom suite is very cool. Enjoy everything the local area offers.
Here's a panoramic picture from the sky bridge. We had a 5th floor room which is the floor the sky bridge is on.

By dvc_dreamer at 2011-08-18