Sarilas' O-fficial Pre-Trip Report (a.k.a. Vacation, Take TWO!) - Jan. 30-Feb. 8, '09

[Sarilas]

Don't forget LLFF'09.

I'm hoping to swing an October AND November/December trip in there... a girl can wish, right?

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm hoping to swing an October AND November/December trip in there... a girl can wish, right?

WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO! I fully endorse that.

 

[TarzansKat]

Seriously... finding out the AP and dining option was a go made my DAY! Week! Month even! Now I have an excuse to HAVE to go back to the World by January of 2010!

I'm so, so, so glad for you.

Don't forget LLFF'09.

I'm hoping to swing an October AND November/December trip in there... a girl can wish, right?

Oh, two trips in one year is a must with annual pass. I mean it must be written in the by-laws or something.

 

[willwriteforears]

Okay, are you ready for this?!

Spurred on by our own lovely TK's confirmation that AP discount rate AND dining plan were a possibility I called back to Disney Reservations a third time and got the world's best CM EVER. EVER, do you see the emphasis here?!

Diamond was her name (love it!) and she made things crystal clear; the passholder discounts (room) are not ALWAYS available- they're released periodically throughout the year and when they're gone, they're gone. They're not available all year long either so there will be times where it's not available, period. She said you CAN get dining, and no park tickets were necessary! (This is apparently something that changes periodically or recently, I didn't think to ask which.)

It just so happens that they released a few January '09 discounts for AP holders... so... I've changed the original package plan to the Annual Passholder discount rate at ASMusic Family Suites, same dates (10-18) with the regular dining plan! The price comes out to what the first person quoted me, and I can add tickets later! I just have to show my AP at the resort upon check in - that's it! So I can get the AAA discounted tickets and AP, get the AP discounted room rates AND the Disney Dining Plan!

Knock me over with a feather and TK, THANK YOU for telling me about your Mom's having pulled this off!

Happy Dance for Lara's new AP status (Heidi will be so excited)

She will!

I'm hoping to swing an October AND November/December trip in there... a girl can wish, right?

 

[Sarilas]

Happy first Monday of August, all!

So this weekend was busy - after booking our package (wahoo!) I liberated 76 Mickey heads from Home Depot (yeah I counted!) I'm not EVEN kidding when I say that I just know SOMEONE from the DIS had been there before me - there were only about 1/2 the alien green MH's compared to the other colors and someone had practiced peeling the heads off their backing right there at the kiosk! Who was it?! Which one of you was at the Rivergate Home Depot this weekend?!

I think I'll make a countdown calendar, but maybe only from two or three months out... something about 90 days sounds like a nice 'round' number to me. I also want to make some DIS tags, but I'm going to have to liberate some more MH for this!

Here's a new image of our dining plan itinerary! Changes were definitely made here. We decided to do the regular dining plan rather than the deluxe, and here's how the schedule came out:

And how it modified our itinerary (not too much change, but added some more clip art):

We canceled Raglan Road on Saturday the 10th, mainly because we're not really sure what time we're going to get to town and everyone's going to want to be running around as it is. Sunday is unchanged but rather than adding Cindy's Table to our table service credits we're just going to leave it paid for (as it already is anyway). Monday the 12th is the same, as are Tuesday and Wednesday. We canceled all our plans for Thursday since this is our day that we're unsure what we'll be doing in the afternoon - it'll be our fly by the seat of our pants day! Friday the 16th we canceled The Plaza (seriously, 4:40 is just too early for dinner for us) and last but not least we canceled Sci Fi Dine In for Saturday's lunch. I'm going to have to do some quick service research (I know, poor me having to research food porn) since we weren't planning on utilizing the QS much I'm pretty unfamiliar!

So here's today's question... What are your FAVORITE quick service places in the parks or resorts... and why?

 

[TarzansKat]

Favorite Quick Service?

Magic Kingdom - Casey's - best hot dogs ever!

Epcot - do I have to pick one???? They're all soooooo good.

AK - Believe it or not, I've never done quick service here. Hope to rectify that on this trip.

DHS - The ABC Commissary - a nice variety, and a great pulled pork sandwich, plus close proximity to the Villian Candy Shop and a junky apple

Resorts -

Pop Century - Everything Pop Dining - because they really have everything

Other than that, I'm not really sure, although I think people rave about Mara at AKL, but that's heresay since I've never done that either.

 

[Sarilas]

Favorite Quick Service?

Magic Kingdom - Casey's - best hot dogs ever!

I've heard of this - I will fit it in on one of our MK days for sure! Is this the place with the cheese/chili cheese/whatever fries? My husband and oldest daughter will be in hog heaven...

Epcot - do I have to pick one???? They're all soooooo good.

I figured Epcot got a 'get out of jail free' card on the basis of World Showcase alone...

AK - Believe it or not, I've never done quick service here. Hope to rectify that on this trip.

Yak and Yeti has a QS I believe, right? I figure that'll work great, since nobody's a big BBQ fan in our fam (thinking of Flame Tree).

DHS - The ABC Commissary - a nice variety, and a great pulled pork sandwich, plus close proximity to the Villian Candy Shop and a junky apple

This one was one of my bigger dilemmas - so this is great to know! And hold up - there's a Villan Candy Shop?! I am ALL ABOUT the villains!

Resorts -

Pop Century - Everything Pop Dining - because they really have everything

Other than that, I'm not really sure, although I think people rave about Mara at AKL, but that's heresay since I've never done that either.

I'm guessing we'll eat in the room for bites before running off to each morning, but from what I've seen/heard the Intermission Cafe has enough to tide everyone over (at ASMusic). I'm thinking about hopping running over to the Deluxe places to try counter service if we need to take a break from the parks, etc... I haven't read anything about Mara but I'll put it on my food porn check list!

 

[trixiequilts]

I'm so glad the whole booking thing worked out for the best! So just to clarify...sometimes maybe during certain parts of the year or during a special AP holders can possibly get DDP without a package if one calls during the correct phase of the moon?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Lara, I just always love all your visual stuff that you have done!!! I bet your trip binder is way cool!

 

[willwriteforears]

I'm so glad the whole booking thing worked out for the best! So just to clarify...sometimes maybe during certain parts of the year or during a special AP holders can possibly get DDP without a package if one calls during the correct phase of the moon?

And clucks like a chicken while turning widdershins thrice.

 

[GeminiAngel]

I booked today too!!!
And you inspired me to make a countdown calendar for my daughter.

 

[heath-and-javens-mom]

subbing
I have to catch up now

 

[Sarilas]

I'm so glad the whole booking thing worked out for the best! So just to clarify...sometimes maybe during certain parts of the year or during a special AP holders can possibly get DDP without a package if one calls during the correct phase of the moon?

From the info I got yesterday with Diamond (my tie-breaker CM/angel of mercy) was that the DDP is available ALL the time - it's the room discounts that aren't always available. I'm still unsure what the deal was with the tickets - if that was tied to room discounts or not, but I don't think so. It sounds like it's just a perk for AP holders but that some agents are confused about AP perks in general...

Lara, I just always love all your visual stuff that you have done!!! I bet your trip binder is way cool!

I haven't touched my trip binder since I put it together initially! It's been such a wacky few weeks, the binder has suffered horribly. Perhaps that's what I'll work on this week since the older two munchkins are in summer camp!

And clucks like a chicken while turning widdershins thrice.

FYI - soda hurts when being snorted out the nose

I booked today too!!!
And you inspired me to make a countdown calendar for my daughter.

Congratulations! You MUST post a pick of the calendar when you're finished! I love seeing everyone's 'stuff'!

subbing
I have to catch up now

I'm glad to see you! Take your time, pull up a chair... don't mind the soda on the desk...

 

[MRYPPNS]

I feel like I need to hang my head in shame for not knowing you were doing a PTR ....will you ever forgive me ????

I'm all caught up.

I'll jump right in with some AP/dinning info I saw the other day on Mousesavers.com:
Walt Disney World Annual Passholder Package with Dining - It is probable that the Walt Disney World Annual Passholder packages will be extended into 2009. Most likely, Annual Passholders will be able to purchase a special vacation package that includes either the Quick Service Dining Plan, the standard Dining Plan or the Deluxe Dining Plan. The Dining Plans are not discounted with this package. The room rate on the Annual Passholder Package is not always discounted, but during certain times of year, a discount may be offered. This package does not include admission tickets, since obviously Annual Passholders don't need that component of a vacation package. Looks like it is more than likely since Lara was able to book it...

My top counter service places:

MK- Pecos Bills --burgers! and a great toppings bar
Cosmic Ray's -- like a mini food court and Sonny is cute entertainment!

Epcot- UK Fish and Chips shop ---very good fried fish

Studios-- none of them really are great food but...
Sunset Market -- very close to Fantasmic theather....lots of different choices in one area
Backlot Something or Other -- never busy when I've been there
We are trying Starring Rolls Cafe for lunch this year (not open for dinner) I'll let you know how it is

Ak-- we always ate at Tusker House when it was counter service, this year we are trying Restaurantousaurs....I'm waiting on a new menu because McDonald's food is now out of the parks (or so I hear)

Other ---Downtown Disney ----Earl of Sandwich! great sandwiches and cheap!

By the way...Congrats on the AP! (at least someone is getting one! hint hint Jackie )

 

[Sarilas]

I feel like I need to hang my head in shame for not knowing you were doing a PTR ....will you ever forgive me ????

Oh ALRIGHT.

I'm all caught up.

I'll jump right in with some AP/dinning info I saw the other day on Mousesavers.com:
Walt Disney World Annual Passholder Package with Dining - It is probable that the Walt Disney World Annual Passholder packages will be extended into 2009. Most likely, Annual Passholders will be able to purchase a special vacation package that includes either the Quick Service Dining Plan, the standard Dining Plan or the Deluxe Dining Plan. The Dining Plans are not discounted with this package. The room rate on the Annual Passholder Package is not always discounted, but during certain times of year, a discount may be offered. This package does not include admission tickets, since obviously Annual Passholders don't need that component of a vacation package. Looks like it is more than likely since Lara was able to book it...

Yes, I am happy to confirm that this is all true! Now if they can get the word out to all the CM's so nobody has to call three times for confirmation...

My top counter service places:

MK- Pecos Bills --burgers! and a great toppings bar
Cosmic Ray's -- like a mini food court and Sonny is cute entertainment!

Epcot- UK Fish and Chips shop ---very good fried fish

Studios-- none of them really are great food but...
Sunset Market -- very close to Fantasmic theather....lots of different choices in one area
Backlot Something or Other -- never busy when I've been there
We are trying Starring Rolls Cafe for lunch this year (not open for dinner) I'll let you know how it is

Ak-- we always ate at Tusker House when it was counter service, this year we are trying Restaurantousaurs....I'm waiting on a new menu because McDonald's food is now out of the parks (or so I hear)

Other ---Downtown Disney ----Earl of Sandwich! great sandwiches and cheap!

I figured we'd try Earl of Sandwich when we hit up DTD on day one of our arrival - it sounds like a good relaxed way to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the atmosphere!

I totally forgot to look up my QS food porn... shame on me! Maybe tonight...

By the way...Congrats on the AP! (at least someone is getting one! hint hint Jackie )

Thank you! I'm pretty stoked. I've got to figure out how to activate the AP before we check in, just in case they won't accept the voucher (since we aren't going to the parks till the first full day)...

I'm REALLY looking forward to planning a second trip in '09, but frankly I can't believe I'm getting such an amazing deal after spending all that money on the AP! Who knew it would be cheaper?!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I believe you can activiate your voucher at the guest services desk at DTD...but double check that just in case

 

[Sarilas]

I have a list a mile long of things to do today! Not the least of which was double check our travel dates with DH's boss and pay the $200 deposit! So now we've REALLY got the ball rolling as I did those things this morning!

Yesterday DH found out one of his bonuses is going to be significantly more than we'd anticipated... this is VERY good news since he's got some expensive 3-D imaging software to buy for school next semester... and because there'll be funds left over for us to put toward our trip! My goal is to make this first trip ridiculously special - to have so much saved up that we don't HAVE to say no to the kids for every little ridiculous souvenir they want to bring home. I reserve the right to veto the choice on a case by case basis, but I don't want it to be a financially motivated decision. I want each of them to feel special and spoiled and get a fully Disney experience!

I'm working on a couple new projects - one is ANOTHER countdown calendar - the regular calendar looking one is mostly for the older kids, but I wanted something more simplistic for the littler ones. Having liberated all those Mickey heads last weekend I decided that I'd make a big ol' poster board count down complete with colorful Mickey heads and characters underneath! It's a good way for Stasia to get to know some of the characters she's unfamiliar with too. Two birds, one stone!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Are your little ones being educated in all things Disney with some Disney movie viewing??

I have been trying to educate DH, so far he has fallen asleep during Beauty & The Beast and Toy Story.

 

[Sarilas]

Oh yeah - I finally got Stasia to sit all the way through Finding Nemo! (It was on the Disney Channel just yesterday.) She always runs out of the movie when it gets 'scary' (i.e. the princess gets in trouble, Nemo gets lost, etc.)

So it's a start!

My DH has almost NO Disney knowledge. Of course he's only home like 36 hours a week (not counting sleep time) so it's hard to find the time to school him! When he gets his break between semesters it'll be all Disney all the time!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Oh yeah - I finally got Stasia to sit all the way through Finding Nemo! (It was on the Disney Channel just yesterday.) She always runs out of the movie when it gets 'scary' (i.e. the princess gets in trouble, Nemo gets lost, etc.)

So it's a start!

My DH has almost NO Disney knowledge. Of course he's only home like 36 hours a week (not counting sleep time) so it's hard to find the time to school him! When he gets his break between semesters it'll be all Disney all the time!

I love Finding Nemo. My DH just has this disease where whenever I put a movie on that I like, he falls asleep. Pfffft.